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s Ik *4 j t # f $ . V L J .4 - Cu f TfTA /) * —t-” ’ "Cr j aa v ^^ tn, iv-, # > ( y t j . '-y-£L_ &TZL4J / «$ J V A a . . . 4* * d - \ M /■ A FAWNING TO 1NTONE-CHARITY TO ALL. VOLUME VII. DQUGLASVILLE, GEOEGIA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER IT, 1885- NUMBER 44* Church Directory. — Methodist—Douslasville, first and sieond | Sundays. Eev. C. S. Owen, pastor. Baptist—Douglasville, first and fourth Sun days. Rev. A. B. Vaughn, pastor. THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. Masonic, Douglasville Lodge, No. 289, 3?. A. 3d.,meets on Saturday night before the first and third Sundays in each month. J. It. Carter, W. M., W. J. Camp, Secy. County Directory, Ordinary—H. T. Cooper. Clerk—S. N. Dorsett. Sheriff—Henry Ward, Deputy Sheriff—G, M. Souter. Tax Receiver—E. H. Camp. Tax Collector—W. A. Sayer. Treasurer—Samuel Shannon, Surveyor—John M. Huev. Coroner—F. M. Mitchell. SUPERIOR COURT. Meets on third Mondays in January and Juli tnd holds two weeks. Judge—Hon. Samson W. Harris. Sol. Genl.—Hon. Harry M. Beid. Clerk—S. N. Dorsett. Sheriff—Henry Ward. COUNTY COURT. Meets in quarterly session on fourth Mon days in February, May, August and November and holds until all the eases on the docket are called. In monthly session it meets on fourth Mondays in each month, Judge—Hon. E. A. Massey. Sol. Genl.—Hon. W. T. Roberts. Bailiff—D. W. Johns. ordinary's court Meets for ordinary purposes on first Monday, and for county purposes on first Tuesday in each month. Judge—Hon. H. T. Cooper. JUSTICES COURTS. 730th Dist. G. M. meets first Thursday in each month. J. I. Feely, J. P., W. H. Cash, N. P., I). W. Johns and W. K. Hunt, L. C. 736th Dist. G. M., meets second Saturday. A. R, Bomar, J. P., B. A. Arnold, N. P., S. C. Yeager, L. C. 784th Dist. G. M. meets fourth Saturday. Franklin Carver, J. P., C. B. Baggett N. P., J. C. James and M. S. Gore, L. Cs. 1269th DU!. O. If. meets third Saturday. T. M. Hamilton. J.P., M. L. Yates, N. P., S. W. Bigger*. L.O., S. J. Jourdan, L. C. 1260th Dist.. G. M. meets third Saturday. N. W. Camp, J. 1'., W. S. iTudson, N. P.,"j. A. Hill. L. C. 1271st Dist. G. M. meets first Saturday. C. 0. Clinton, J. P. Alberry Hembree, N. P., , L. C. 1272nd Dist. G. M. meets fourth Friday. Ifeo. W, Smith, J. P., C. J. Robinson. N. P., —, L. ■ C. 1273rd Dist. G. M. meets third Friday. Thos. To the Congress of the United States: Your assembling is clouded by a sense of public bereavement, caused by the recent and sadden death of Thomas A. Hendricks, Vice- President of the United States. His dis tinguished public services, his complete integ rity and devotion to every duty, and his per sonal virtues will find honorable record in his country’s history. Ample and repeated proofs of the esteem and confidence in which he was held by his fellow-countrymen were manifested by his election to offices of the most important trust and highest dignity: and at length, full of years and honors, he has been laidyet- rest amid universal sorrow and benediction. OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS. It is gratifying to announce that the rela tions of the United States with all foreign powers continue to be friendly. Our position after nearly a century of successful constitu tional government, maintenance of good faith m all our engagements, the avoidance of com plications with other nations,and our consist ent and amicable attitude toward the strong , aijd weak alike, furnish proof of a political disposition which renders professions of good' wfll unnecessary. There, are no questions of difficulty pending with any foreign govern Early in March last war broke out in Cen tral America, caused by the attempt of Guate- mala to consolidate the several States icto a single government. In these contests be tween our neighboring states the United states forbore to interfere actively, but lent “coin money”’ given to Congress by the Con stitution, it it permits the purchase by the government or bullion for coinage in any event, doeiQjipt justify such purchase and coinage to vSBi extent beyond the amount needed for a sufficient circulating medium. The desire^# utilize’ the silver product of the country should not lead to a misuse or the perversion of "this power. The necessity for such an addition to t-he-silver currency of the nation as is, compelled by the silver-coin- agejact, is nw.Jfjiyed by the fact that up to the present ijttfe only about fifty millions of tlie silve** dollars so coined have actually found Tfiteir way into circulation, leaving more tjian one hundred and sixty-five milions in the®|feession of the government, tlie custody of wev- h has entailed a consid erable expense construction of vaults for its deposit. •here are oi amounting to dollars* Everjynonth public treasur or more of' silvSi idle-mass alread' long enough, thi substitution of government owns purposes; It wit customs receipts, make good this . the silver thus cointu tender for dll debts 1 ! vate, at times durinj eight per-cent.' of th been in silver .or”811 average within’ thai per cent. The , pfi ’Certificates received 1 probably increase reason that.the nearc-f when it will lie obligei inant of its obligations,! gainst this latter amount ding silver certificates 'nety-three millions of millions of gold in the id out for two millions t;, be added to the lumhl.-’ed. If continued and I invite your careful attention to the same. The present mode of compensating United States marshals and district attorneys should in my opinion be changed. They are allowed to charge against the government certain fees for services, their income being measured by the amount of such fees within a fixed limit as to their annual aggregate. This is a diz-ect inducement for them' to make their fees in criminal cases as large as possible in an effort to reach the maximum sum permitted. As an entirely natu ral consequence, unscrupulous marshals are found encouraging frivolous prosecutions, arresting people on petty charges of crime and transporting them to distant places for examination and trial, for the purpose of earning mileage and other fees. And dis trict attorneys uselessly attend criminal examinations far from their places of resi dence for the express purpose of swelling their accounts against the g'overrunent; The actual expenses incurred in these trans actions are also charged- against the govern ment. Thus the rights and freedom of 1 Re -strengin, the perpetuity, and the des tiny of the nation rest upon our homes, es tablished by the law of God, guarded by parental care, regulated by parental authori ty, and sanctified by parental love. These are not the homes of polygamy. The mothers of our land, who rule the nation as they mold the characters and guide the actions of their sons, live according to God’s holy ordi nances, and each, secure and happy in the exclusive love of the father of her children sheds the warm light of true womanhood, unperverted and unpolluted, upon all with her pure and wholesome family circle. These are not the cheerless, crushed, and unwoman ly mothers of polygamy. The fathers of our families are the best citi zens of the republic. Wife and children are the sources of patriotism, and conjugal and parental affection beget devotion to the coun try. The man who, undefiled with plural marriage, is surrounded in his single home with his wife and children, has a stake in the country which inspires him with respect for - CT , — — . our , citizens are outraged and public expenditures da on will result in the j of toirishmg P ul > ,,H the gold the ' llc °mcers pi etexts for increasing the meas- Jeablp to its general ,JO® do itjj; rely upon the o.f> the*®government to drain 5jf' gold, because ayro^pbeen maze iegal- " ilne* public and pn- hglkst.six months fifty- ‘ecqjptejifor duties have ^WOHttes, while the ’ad has been twenty fjon mI silver audits ure of their compensation. I think marshals and district attorneys should be paid salaries adjusted by a rule which will make them commensurate with services fairly rendered. formanee of their duties, and yet insist that they shall rely, in confidential and important places, upon the work of those not only op* posed to them in political affiliation, but s® steeped in partisan prejudice and rancor that they have no loyalty to their chiefs and no desire for their success. Civil services reform does not exact this, nor does it require that those in subordinate posi tions who fail in yielding their best service,or who are incompetent, should be retained simply because they are in place. The whin* ing of a clerk discharged for indolence or in competency, who, though he gained his place by the worst possible operation of the spoils system, suddenly discovers that he is entitled to protection under the sanction of civil ser* vice reform, represents an idea no less absurd than the clamor of the applicant who claims the vacant position as his compensation for the most questionable party work. The civil service law does not prevent the discharge of the indolent or incompetent * r — , clerk, but it does prevent supplying his. place its laws and courage for its defence. These j with the unfit party worker. Thus, in both are not the fathers of polygamous families., | these phases, is seen benefit to the public ser- There is no feature of this practice, or the j vice. And the people who desire good gov- system which sanctions it, which is not op- | eminent having secured this statute will not posed to all that is of value in our institutions. 1 relinquish its benefits without protest. Nor there shouid be no relaxation in the firm but ; are they unmindful of the fact that its full just execution of the law now’ in operation, i advantages can only be gained through the and I should be glad to approve such further ’ complete good faith of those having its exe- the aid of their friendly offices in deprecation meub there will be to hi fit war and to TVtwmnhA naono ot-iv! ^ .1 : nrprMfl.tirvn in t.Vio vnlno*! kite, J. I’.. A. J. Bowen, N. P., W. J.'Harbin, Professional Cards. ROBERT A. MASSEY, If AT LAW £LLE, GA. Rfice iu^Sr^oom, Dorsett’* Building., pi practice anywhere except in the County Court of Douglass county. W. A. JiMES, hrrORvvEY AT LAW, bill practice in all the courts, Slate an Jeral. Office on Court House Square, DOUGLASVILLE, GA. I. T. ROBERTS, ’TOKNEY AT LAW, DOUGLASVILLE, GA. Fl practice in all the Courts. All lega less will receive prompt attention. Office wirt House. H. MclARTY, jO-RUEY AT LA W. DOUGLASVILLE, GA. ttice in all the courts, both State and “kollections a specialty. G. GRIGGS, PNEY AT LAW, |UGLA8VILLE, GA. in all the courts, State and IN M, EDGE, !EY AT LAW, [.LASVILLE, GA. •1 the courts, and promptly entrusted to his care. JAMES, SIEY AT f/ASVILLE, GA. AW, the courts of Douglass, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton and Prompt attention given EDGE. “TdSfEY AT LAW, DOUGLASVILLE, GA. O octors. DE.T. E, WHITLEY, Physician and Surgeon DOUGLASYILB, GA. Special attention to Surgery and Chronic Dis eases in atth.r sex. Office Upstairs in Horsy, Brick Building. P. S. VERDERY ’ Physician and Surgeon Office at his RESIDENCE, on Price street where ho can He found ,t , u ho excepi J e fEsged. Bpocial atten tion given to Chronic cases, and especially ™r C X e d th *‘ haT ® been treaUd *“ d UiU 0ncured ’ ian!3 ’85-ly I of w ar and to promote peace and concord among the belligerents, and by such counsel j contributed importantly to the restoration of ! tranquillity m that locality. | ,. interest of the United States in a prac tical transit for ships across the strip of land 1 separating the Atlantic from the Pacific has been repeatedly Manifested during the last half century. My immediate predecessor caused to be negotiated with Nicaragua a treaty for the construction, by and at the sole cost of the United States, of a canal through Nicaraguan territory, and laid it before the -Senate. Pending the action of that body Liereon, 1 withdrew the treaty for re-exam- ination. Attentive consideration of its pro visions leads me to withhold it from re-sub- nission to the Senate. In the application of the acts lately passed to execute the treaty of 1880, restrictive of the immigration of Chinese laborers into the u nited States, indiv idual cases of hardship have occurred beyond the power of the Exec utive to remed} r , and calling for judicial de termination. THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE. I earnestly urge that Congress recast the appropriations for the maintenance of the di plomatic mid consular service on a footing commensurate with the importance of our national interests. At every post where a representative is necessary, the salary should be so graded as to permit him to live with comfort. With the tf assignment of ade quate salaries the srJhdled -notarial extra- official fees, which our officers abroad are now permitted to treat as personal perquisites, should be done away with. Every act requiring the certification and seal of the officer should be taxable at schedule rates, and the fee therfore returned to the treasury. By restoring these revenues to the public use the consular service would be self-supporting, even with a liberal increase of the present low salaries. In further prevention of abuses a system of consular inspection should be instituted. . THE TREASURY. The report of the secretary of the treasury fully exhibits the condition of the public finances and of the several branches of the government connected with the department The suggestions of the secretary relating to the practical operations of this important de partment, and his recommendations in the direction of simplification and economy, par ticularly in the work of collecting customs duties are especially urged upon the atten tion of Congress. The ordinary receipts from all sources for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1885, were $322,690,706.38. Of this sum $181,471,939 34 was received from customs and $112,498,725.54 from internal revenue. The total receipts, as given above, were $24,829,163.54 less than those for the year ended June 30, 1884. This diminution embraces a faffing off of $13,595,- 0 1 .?. receipts from customs and $9,oo / ,o4o, Jt in the receipts from internal rev enue. The total ordinary expenditures of the t overnment for the fiscal year were $260,226,- 35.50, leaving a surplus in the treasury at the close of the year of $63,463,771.27. This is $40,929,854.32 less than the surplus report ed at the close of the previous year. THE TARIFF. The fact that our revenues are in excess of the actual .needs of an economical adminis tration of the government justifies a reduc tion in the amount exacted from the people for its support. Our government is but the means established by the will of a free people, by which certain principles a re applied which they have adopted for their benefit and pro tection; and it .is never better administered and its tnie spirit is never better observed than when the.people’s taxation for its sup port is scrupulously limited to the actual ne cessity of expenditure, and distributed ac cording to a just ondsequitable plan. The proposition with which we have to deal is the reduction of the revenue received by the government, and indirectly paid by the peoplp from customs duties. The question of free trade is not involved, nor is there now any occasion for the general discussion of the wisdom or expediency of a protective system. Justice and fairness dictate that in any modification of our present laws re lating to revenue, the industries and interests which have been en couraged by such laws, and in which our citizens have large investments, should not be ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We should also deal with the. subject in such manner as to protect the interests of Ameri can labor, which is the capital of our work ingmen; its stabiltv and proper remuneration furnish the most justifiable pretext for a pro tective policy. Within these limitations a cer tain reduction should be made in our customs revenue. The amount of such reduction having been determined, the inquiry follows, where can it best ,be remitted and what articles can best be released from duty, in. the interest of our ci tizens ? I think the reduction should be made in the revenue derived from a tax upon the imported necessaries of life. We thus directly lessen the cost of living in every family of the-land, and release to the people in every humble home a larger measure of the rewards'of frugal industry. THE SILVER QUESTION. Nothing more important than the present condition, of our currency and cisinage.can claim your attention. Since February, 1878', 'the government has, under the compulsory provisions of law, purchased' 'silver bullion and coined the same at the rate of more than $2,000,000 every. month. By this process up to the present date 215,759,431 silver dollars have been coined. A reasona ble appreciation of a delegation of power to the general government would limit its exercise without express restrictive words to the people’s needs and the requirements of the public. Upon this theory and authority to preeiation in the value- purpose of speculatini The hoarding of gold. When the time comes " 1 withdrawn from cir- be apparent the the real value of tin a dollar in gold, and part company. Gold, yalue, and necessary in o er countries, will be at a pi banks which have substitute . posits of their customers nia| silver bought with such gold, the gav eminent will :e gnis on, for the be period approaches Offer silver in pay- greater induce- gold against de- ;®y or for the THE INDIANS. The report of the secretary of the inter) containing'an account of the operation-) t us important department, and much n e mg information will be submitted for y or ousideration. is already begun, it gold has been ^tioii, then will grence between SjPvr dollar and '' coins will standard of lings with oth- mi over silver; 4d for the de- pay them with the- spvor nil »A,tii-o d, stiff&She i The most intricate and difficult subject in i-harge of this department is the treatment and management of the Indians. I am satis fied that some progress may be noted in their condition as a result of a prudent administra tion of the present laws and regulations for their control. The history of all the progress which has hem made in the civilization of the Indian, I think, will disclose the fact that the begin ning has been religious teaching, followed by or accompanying secular education. While the self-sacrificing and pious men and women who have aided in this good work by their independent endeavor have for their reward the beneficent results of their labor and the consciousness of Christian duty well per formed, their valuable services should be fully acknowledged by.all who under the law are charged with the control and management of cur Indian wards.’ making a handsome profit; rich speculators will sell their hoarded gold to their neighbors who need it to liquidate their foreign,! debts, at a ruinous premium over silver,and fcfe laboring men and women of the &sd„ most de fenceless of all, will find thlx (he dollar re ceived for the wage of their Ml- has sadly fehrunk in its purchasing poweSjj It may be - — , said that the latter result will be,but tempor- j pie. Tbe nation’s prosperity is in theirpros- ary, and that ultimately the price belabor will [ perity. The nation’s glory is in the equality ’ ’* to the cli.-;d- Init Apd if tliIi of her justice. The nation’s nernetnitv is in THE PUBLIC LANDS. It is not for the “common benefit of the United States” that a large area of the pub lic lands should be acquired, directly or through fraud, in the hands of a single indi vidual. The nation’s strength is in the peo- be adjusted to the change; but genii' this takes place, the wage worker cannot possibly gain but must inevitably lose,sincere price he is compelled to pay for his living will not only be measured in a coin heavily depreciated, and fluctuating and uncertain in its value, but this uncertainty in the vairic >f the pur chasing medium will be made the pAtext for an advance in prices beyond that justified by actual depreciation, of her justice. The nation’s perpetuity is in the patriotism of all her people. Hence, as ! far as practicable, the plan adopted in the disposal of the public lands should have m view the original policy, which encourages many purchasers of these lands : for homes and discouraged the massing of large areas. _ Exclusive of Alaska, about three- fifths of the national domain has been sold or subjected to contract or grant. Of the re- The words uttered in 1834 by Daniel Web-4 Ijnaiojng two-fifths a considerable portion is ftr in «1* fWat-A nf TT n u^4 ! mrfmt'iinjpr dv&et. A rapidly in creasing population creates a growing de- j mand tor homes, and the accumulation of j wealth inspires an eager competition to ob- j tain the public land for speculative purposes, i In the future this collision of interests will be ! inore marked than in the past, and the execu- j tion of the nation’s trust in behalf of our settlers ! will be more difficult. I therefore commend i to your attention the recommendations con tained in the report of the secretary‘of the interior with reference to the repeal and ster in the Senate of the United States' are true to-day: “The very man of all others who has the deepest interest in a sound cur rency, and who suffers most by mischievous legislation in money matters, is the man who earns his daily bread by his daily toil.” The most distinguished advocate of bi-metalisrn, discussing our silver coinage, has lately written: “No.American citizen’s hand lias yet felt the sensation of cheapness, either in receiving or expending the Silver*- Act dollars.” And those who live bv labor I ^ , f or legitimate trade will never feel that sensa- 1 modlflc<it ' lon o:t certain of oui land laws, tion of cheapness. However plenty silver dollars may become, they will pet be distrib uted as gifts among the people; and if the laboring man should receive four depreciated dollars where he now receives but two, he will pay in the depreciated coin more than double the price he now pays for all the nec- cessaries and comforts of life. I recommend the suspension of the com pulsory coinage of silver dollars directed by the law passed in February, 1878. THE WAR DEPARTMENT. The report of the secretary of war is here with submitted. The attention of Congress is invited to the detailed account which it con tains of the administration of bis department, and his recommendations and suggestions for the improvement of the service. THE NAVY. The report of the secretary of the navy gives a history of the operations of his depart ment and the present condition of the work committed to his charge. He details in full the course pursued by him to protect the rights of the government in re spect of certain vessels unfinished at the time of his accession to office, and also concerning the despatch boat Dolphin, claimed to be completed and awaiting the acceptance of the department. No one can fail to see from recitals contained in this report that only the application of business principles has been insisted upon.in the treat ment of these subjects, and that whatever controversy has arisen was caused by the ex action on the part of the department of con tract obligations as they were legally con strued. Unquestionably if we are content with the maintenance of a navy department simply as a shabby ornament to the government, a constant watchfulness may prevent some of the scandal and abuse which have found their way into our present organization, and its incurable waste may be reduced to the mini mum. But if we desire to build ships for present usefulness instead of naval re minders of the days that are past, we must have a department organized for the work, supplied with all the talent and in genuity our country affords, prepared to take advantage of the experience of other na tions, systematized so that all effort shall unite and lead in one direction, and fully im bued with the conviction that war vessels, though new, are useless unless they combine all that the ingenuity of man has up to this day brought forth relating to their construc tion. I earnestly commend the portion of the sec retary’s report devoted to this subject to the attention of Congress, in the hope that his suggestions touching the reorganization of his department may be adopted as the first step toward the reconstruction of our navy. THE POSTAL SERVICE. The affairs of the postal service are ex hibited by the report of the postmaster- general, which will be laid before you. 1 approve the recommendation of .the post. master-general to reduce the charges on domestic money orders of five dollars and less from eight to five cents. This change will materially aid those of our people who most of all avail themselves of this instrumentali ty, but to whom the element of cheapness is of the greatest importance. With this reduc tion the system would still remain self-sup porting. I approve the recommendation of the post- masberegeneral that another_ assistant be pro vided for Bis department. I invite your con sideration to the several other recommenda tions contained in his report. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. The.report of the attorney-general contains a history of the conduct of the department of. justice during the last year, and a number of valuable suggestions as to needed legislation; PENSIONS. It appears from the repoi’t of the commis sioner of pensions that there were, on July 1, 1885, 345,125 persons borne upon the pension roils, who were classified as follows: Army invalids, 241,456; widows, minor children and dependent relatives of deceased soldiers, 78,841; navy invalids, 2,745; navy widows, minor children and dependents, 1,926: survi vors of the war of 1812, 2,945; and widows o” those who served in that war, 17,212. About one man in ten of all those enlisted in the late war are reported as receiving pensions, ex clusive of the dependents of deceased soldiers. On July 1, 1875, the number of pensioners was 234,821, and the increase within the ten years next thereafter was 110,304. While there is no expenditure of the public funds which the people more cheerfully ap prove than that made in recognition of the services of our soldiers living and dead, the sentiment underlying the subject should not be vitiated by the introduction of anv fraud ulent practices. Therefore it is fully as im portant that the rolls should be cleansed of all those who by fraud have secured a place thereon, as that meritorious claims should be specially examined and adjusted. The re forms in the methods of doing the business of this bureau which have lately been inaugur ated promise better results in both these di- rections. THE PATENT OFFICE. The operations of the patent office demon strate the activity of the inventive genius of the country. For the year ended June 80, 1885, the applications for patents, including reissues, and for the registration of trade marks and labels, numbered 35,688. Durin®’ the same period there were 22,928 patents granted and reissued, and 1,429 : trade-marks and labels registered. The number of patents issued in the year 1885 was 14,387. The re- durin s the last fiscal year were $1,074 - 974.3o, and the total expenditures, not includ ing contingent expenses, $934,123.11. There were 9,788 applications for patents pending on July 1,1884, and 5,786 on the same date m the year 1885. There has been con siderable improvement made in the prompt determination of applications, and a conse quent relief to expectant inventors. THE MORMON QUESTION. of Utah the law of the United States passed for the suppression of polygamy has been energetically and faith fully executed during the past year, with measurably good results. A number of. con- victions have been secured for unlawful co habitation, and in some cases pleas of guiltv r^™. b ? en entered . and a slight punishment imposed, upon a promise by the accused that they would not again offend against the law, I nor advise, counsel, aid, or abet, in any way, its violation by others. * The Utah commissioners express the opin ion, based upon such information as they are obtain, that but few polygamous marriages have taken place in the Territory auring tine last year. They further report that While there cannot be found upon the registration lists of voters the name of a man actually guilty of polygamy , and while none Oi uhe class are holding- office, yet at the last election in the Territory all the officers elected except in one county were men who, though not actually Irving in the practice of polygamy, subscribe to the doctrine of polygamous mar- riages as a divine revelation and a law unto all, higher and more binding upon the con science than any human law, local or national. I bus is a strange spectacle presented of a community protected by a Republican form ot government, to which they owe allegiance, sustaining by their suffrages a principle and a belief which sets at naught that obligation of absolute obedience to the law of the land which lies at the foundation of Republican institutions. i discreet legislation as will rid the country of I this blot upon its fair name. Since the people I upholding polygamy in our Territories are re- S enforced by immigration from other lands, I | recommend that a law be passed to prevent J j the importation of Mormons into the country, ! AGRICULTURE. i The agricultural interest of the country i j demands just recognition and liberal encour- | ! agement. It sustains with certainty and un- | j failing strength our nation’s prosperity by I : the product of its steady toil, and bears its j full share of the burden of taxation without | complaint. Our agriculturists have but | slight personal representation in the councils | of the nation, and are generally con- | tent with the humbler duties of citi- I zenship and willing to trust to the bounty of nature for a reward of their labor. But the | magnitude and value of this industry is ap- j predated, when the statement is made that ! of our total annual exports more than three- j fourths are the products of agriculture, and 1 of our total population nearly on i-half are exclusively engaged in that occupation. The department of agriculture' was created tor the purpose of acquiring and diffusing among the people useful information respect ing the subjects it has in charge, and aiding In the cause of intelligent and .progress! n farming, by the collection of statistics, bi testing- the value and usefulness of new seed* and plants, and distributing such as are, team! desirable among agriculturists. This end. other powers and duties with which this department is invested are of the utmost im portance, and if wisely exercised must be of great benefit to the country. The aim of our oeaoficent government is the improvement of the people in every station, and the ameliora tion of tbeir condition. Surely our agricul turists should not be neglected! The instru mentality establ ished in aid of the farmers of Lie laud should not only be well equipped for ■ike--accomplishment of its purpose, but those for whose benefit it has been adopted should to encouraged to airail themselves fully of its r ad ventages. j The prohibition • n the importation into several countries of certain of oiir animals itaci their produ-.'+.-i, based nmn the /suspicion : t hat health is endangered in their use and i omsuinptioii. suggests the importance of j euoh precautions i'or the protection of our i 1 1 stock of all kinds against disease, as will dis- i „ nacWe of let pro f, j arm suspicion of danger and cause the remov- I ,„i- r T . -„v | al of such -an injurious prohibition. ' ” r, sh | If the laws now in operation are insufficient 1 to accomplish .this .protection;' I recommend | their amendment to meet the neeesities of the situation, and I commend to. the considera tion of Congress the suggestions contained in | the report of the commissioner Of agriculture j calculated to increase, the value and efficacy I of this department. And this they will insist cution in charge, upon. I recommend that the salaries of the civil service commissioners be increased to a sum more nearly com* mensurate to their important duties. SUCCESSION TO THE PRESIDENCY. The present condition of the law relating to the succession to the presidency in the event of the death, disability, or removal of both the President and Vice- President is such as taj require immediate amendment. This sub.' jeet has repeatedly been considered by Con. grass, but no result has been reached! The recent lamentable death of the Vice- President, and vacancies at the same time in ali other offices the incumbents of which might immediately exercise the func tions of the presidential office, has caused public anxiety and a .just demand that a re currence of such a condition of affairs should, not be permitted. In conclusion, I commend to the wise car* and thoughtful attention of Congress the needs, the vdlnre. and the aspira-i tions of an. :. c .,. .. ., L an i ■v-sier. ous nation. To subordinate these i the narrow advantages of partisansbia. or the accomplishment of selfish ... ,}> violate the people’s trust and betray the people’s in. terests. Hut; art individual sense of respoiisi- bi lifcy on the part of each of us. and a ' stem determination to perform our duty wellpt'iusfj give us place among those who have aided in their day and generation to the glory and prosperity of our beloved land. GroveR Cleveland. Washington, December 8, 1885. THE CIVIL SERVICE. The report of the civil service commission, which will be submitted, contains an account of the maimer in which the civil service law has been executed during the last year, and much valuable information on this important subject. I. am inclined to think chat there is no sentiment more general in the minds of the people of our country than a conviction of the correctness of the principle upon which the law enforcing civil service reform is based. In its present condition the law regulates only a part of the subordinate public positions throughout , the i country. It applies the test of fitness to ap- I plicants for these places by means of a com petitive examination, and gives large discre- i tion to the commissioners as to the character : of the examination and many other matters j connected with its execution. Thus the rules | and regulations adopted . by the commission have much to do with the practical usefulness i of the statute and with the results of its ap- . plication. The people may well trust the commission I to execute the law with perfect fairness and with as little irritation as possible. But of j course no relaxation of tbe principle which : underlies it and no wakening of the safe- f Birds which surround it can be expected, xperience in its ; administration will proba- j bly suggest amendment of the methods of ex- j ecution, but I venture to hope that we j shall never again be remitted to ! the system which distributes puq- ; lie positions purely as rewards for j partisan service. Doubts may well be.enter- tained whether our government could sur- | vive the strain of a continuance of this sys tem, which upon every change of an admin- i isti-atiou inspires an immense army of claim- | ants for office to lay siege to the patronage I of government, engrossing the time of the ! pu blie officers with their importunities,spread- j mg abroad the contagion of their | disappointment and filling this air with the tumult of their discontent. The allurements of au immense number of offices and places,'-exhibited to the voters of the land, and the promise of their bestowal in recognition of partisan activity, debauch the suffrage and rob -political action of its thoughtful and deliberative character. The evil would increase .with the multiplication of offices consequent upon our extension, and the .mania for office-holding, growing from its indulgence, would pervade our population so generally that patriotic purpose, the support of principle, the desire for the public good and solici tude for the nation’s welfare would be nearly banished from ihe activity .of our party contests and cause them to degenerate into ignoble, selfish and disgraceful struggles for the possession of office and public place. Civil-service reform enforced by law came none too soon to check the progress of demor alization. One of its effects, not enough re garded, is the freedom it brings to the politi cal action of those conservative and sober men who, in fear of the confusion and risk attending an arbitrary and sudden change in all the public officers with a change of party rule, cast their ballots against such a change. Parties seem to be necessary, and will long continue to exist; nor can it be now denied that there are legitimate advantages, not disconnected with office holding, which follow party supremacy. While partisanship con tinues bitter and pronounced, and supplies so much of motive to sentiment and action, it is not fair to hold public officials in charge of important public trusts, re sponsible for the best results in tb» per- Generals Gordon and Barlow. The ex-Confederate Genera! Gordon relates an interesting sfory ahmit two interviews he had with General Barlow. At bnorpsburgr Barlow was avparantlv mortally wounded, and r ell into Gordon’s hands. Gordon took » liking to him and asked if he emid not do Bomethinji for Barlow. “ I think not, general * said the young man; “j R jj a ]l he. buried here, no doubt. T do not expect to live. Rut von can do one ihioff for me-; here Vnm toy wife, von to destroy before my ryes. Gordon who was then a voung man also, took the leitors and was about deetrov them, who- Barlow, wTh a bubble athis threat, murmured • “Would .' r 11 b’he the trouble to,reed me one oi hem fir ! ? Anv ..ae will do.” Gordon -neited one of tbe le ters and read it to - tbe dving man.—his last friendly words nerhnps. from borne. Then the letters were destroyed, Bu< the incident touched Gordo-- ‘o that Tie made special ex ertion to have Barlow sent, through the b’ne's to have hi wife admi'tpd to bir This being done the two armies f> apart, and those t TO men saw cm 1 - otln no more Gordon o.-wsutaret! B»rlow to he dead. Barlow bed also seen that a General Gordon had been killed ome- where. r J>ey met a"a : -> at it fri"nd’y table in W-’shingten , Tntf did nor kiiow each other through the chances of time. After some lanse. Gordon said: “Gen eral Barlow, are you a relative of that Barlow who was killed at Antietam?” ‘ No,” said the general, ‘ I am the same man. Are von an- relative,” inquired Barlow, in turn, “of that General Gor don who was recent I v killed on the Or - federate side ?” “ hat was my cousin : lam .John B. Gm-d n.” ^ hen at fi- request of the persons who overheard Barlow told the (ale amid tears and emotion b on every side A Kind Employ • “I don’t see how I can gei, along this way much longer, Mr. Bailey,” said a workman who had just been asking his employer for money, without getting it. “My landlady has given me notice that J mu9t leave to-night unless I pay my board, and I don’t know what I’m going to do about it. ’ “I’m very lorry for you, -mv good man,” said Bailey ; “but 1 don’t see how I am going to heip you any Times are so tight j can’i collect anything.” “If I could only get my board,’' con tinued the workman sadly, “I could get along somehow t il limes'get better, but 1. can’, live on a : r.” “No, I leckon not,” said Bailey,with n far-away lock. “Could ’t you board me, Mr, Bailey?’ blurted out ihe unfortunate man, with a sudden buret of hope. “Well, now, I shouldn’t wonder,” mused the improvident boss. “I don’t see nothing to hinder it. I get. my flour and meat on credit. I reckon you can come over to the house.” A b ream,—At Kilmacthomas Work- house Hospital a man named White has just bun admitted, suffering from fright ful injuries. He had been away from his wife twelve months, and received ,i letter from her stating she had dream»d lhat a great accidtnt was to happen to him, and imploring him m return home at once Acting on her advice he started for Dublin. lie reached Kilmac thomas, and while passing tie bridge that spans the River Manor he fell over the boundary wall, a depth of fifty feet. He sustained concussion of the spine and cannot recover. s i hi .81 Horror IntloM eatttre* o*«how tor wr W8, K» fUlNN* n»H y»n v»la»61» oi *o'>« ktu* m»r 1* Ain# i *t, ho • ' l„,». C».» DU. I'll'* av oueo. iU, M.fines