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FAWNING TO NONE-CHARITY TO ALL.
VOLUME VII.
DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1885-
NUMBER 44'
Church Directory.
Methodist—Doustaaville, first and sjeofid
Sundays. Bev. C. S. Owen, pastor.
Baptist—Douglasville, first and fourth Sun
days. Bev. A. B. Vaughn, pastor.
Masonic,
Douglasville Lodge, No. 289, F. A. M.,meets
on Saturday night before the first and third
Sundays in"each month, J. B. Carter, W. M.,
W. J. Camp, Secy.
County Directory,
Ordinary—H. T. Cooper.
Clerk—S..N. Dorse tt.
Sheriff—Henry Ward,
Deputy Sheriff—G, M. Souter.
Tax Beceiver—E. H, Camp.
Tax Collector—W. A. Sayer.
Treasurer—Samuel Shannon.
Surveyor—John M. Huey.
Coroner—E. M. Mitchell.
SUPERIOR COURT.
Meets on third Mondays in January and Julj
and 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 ou fourth Mon
days in February, Sla v, August and November
and holds until all the cases on the docket are
called. In monthly session it meets on fourth
Mondays in each month,
Judge—Hon. B. A. Massey.
Sol. Genl.—Hon. W. T. Boberts.
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.,
D. W. Johns and W. K. Hunt, L. C.
736th Dist. G. M., meets second Saturday.
A. E. Bomar, J. P., B. A. Arnold, N. P., S. C.
Yeager, L. C.
784th Dist. G. M. meets fourth Saturday.
Franklin Carver, ,T. P C. B. Baggett, N. P.,
J. C. James and M. S. Gore, L. Cs.
1269th Dis;. G. M. meets third Saturday. T.
M. Hamilton. J.P., M. L. Yates, N. P., S. W.
Diggers, L.O., S. J. Jourdan, L. C.
1260th Disc. G. M. meets third Saturday. N.
W. Oauip, J. P., W. S. lYudaon, N. P., J. A.
Hill, L. V.
1271st Dist. G. M. meets first Saturday.
C. Clinton, J. P. Alberry Hembree,
, L. C.
1272nd Dist. G. M. meets fourth Friday.
|eo. W, Smith, J. P., C. J. Bobinson, N. P.,
L. C.
|273rd Dist, G. M. meets third Friday. Thos.
Lite, J. P., A. J. Bowen, N. P., W. J.‘Harbin,
C.
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
To the Congress of the Unite,cl States:
Your assembling is clouded by a sense of
public bereavement, caused by the recent and
sudden 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
end 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 aud honors, he has bee)) laid at 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. Oiir position
after nearly a century of successful constitu
tional government, maintenance of good faith
maU our engagements, the avoidance o'f com-
plscations 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'
unnecessary. There are no questions of
difficulty pending with any foreign govern
ment. ” •
Early in March last war broke out in‘Cen
tral America, caused by the attempt of Guate
mala, to consolidate .the several States into a
Single government. In these contests be-
tween our neighboring states the United
btates forbore to interfere actively, but lent
the aid of their friendly offices in deprecation
or war and to promote peace and concord
among the belligerents, and by such counsel
contributed importantly to the restoration of
tranquillity m that locality.
The interest of the United States in a prac-
tical transit for ships across the strip of land
separating the Atlantic from the Pacific
has bren repeatedly fftauifested 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 Slates, 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- ;
mation. Attentive consideration of its pro- i
visions leads me to withhold it from re-sub- i
mission to the Senate.
In the application of the acts lately passed I
fco execute the treaty of 1880, restrictive of !
thft immioTafmri e\-p CEIwnr.n 1„1 j j TV . !
“coin money”, given to Congress by the Con
stitution, it it permits the purchase by the
government or bullion for coinage in any
event, doe@ti.ot justify such purchase anti
coinage to*®S extent beyond the amount
needed for ^sufficient circulating medium.
The desirsjja 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 th%silver currency of
the nation as & compelled by the silver-coin-
agejaet, is nd^fmyed’ by the fact that up to
the present i&tfe only about fifty millions
of tlie silveFSjdollars so coined have
actually foundyffifeir way into circulation,
leaving more than one hundred aud sixty-five
milieus in tho^R|fee,ssion of the government,
Hie custody of* 48i.;h has entailed a consid
erable expense fqwAhe construction of vaults
for its deposit.
■here are 01
amounting to
dollarsA
Evei^jnonth
public treasur;
or more of' silvte:
idle-mass alread;
long enough, tin
substitution of s
government own!
purposes; It wilFikif do
customs receipts of, the'
make good this drain
the silver thus eoinei
tender for all debts 1
vate, at times during:
eight per-dgat. ofithP
been in silver .qr'lil
average within that:
per cent. The, pro.
certificates receive®
probably increase
Against this latter amount
ding silver certificates
ninety-three millions of
millions of gold in the
id out for two millions
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
direct 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 government.
Jhe actual expenses incurred in these trans
actions are also charged against the govern
ment. Thus the rights aud freedom of our
citizens are outraged and public expenditures
.Efcs, t) : t be added to the
IS Wfii resififtethe !
the* o-olel t,hA i be otbcei s pi etexts for increasing the meas-
laif to th its g gencra! ! compensation.
-fVT T) lAJ CACLUDtt LHfcf I , __ — ,..ww*uvi r v \sj.
’ ! tbe immigration of Chinese laborers into the
United States, indi vidual cases of hardship
have occurred beyond the power of the Exec
utive to reined}', and calling for judicial de
termination.
Professional Cards.
IROBERT A. MASSEY,
If AT LAW
KLLE, GA.
Rfice in W5!!Wbom, Dorsefcfc’s Building.^
Ell practice anywhere except in the County
Court of Douglass county.
W. L JAMES,
iTTORfu EY AT LAW,
V'ill practice in all the courts, Since an
lend. Office on Court House Square,
DOUGLASVILLE, GA.
m. T. ROBERTS^
'TORNBT AT LAW.
DOUGLASVILLE, GA.
pi practice in a I! the< Courts. All lega
less will receive prompt attention. Office
art House.
H. McLARTY,
iORNEY AT LAW,
DOUGLASVILLE, GA.
Ittice in ad the courts, both State and
fillections a specialty.
G. GRIGGS,
INEY AT LAW,
|U 3LA8VILLE, GA.
in all the courts. State and
!H M, EDGE,
HEY AT LAW,
^LASVILLE, GA.
|1 the courts, and promptly
i entrusted to his care.
mis,
AT
LAW,
“ASVILLE, GA.
the courts of Douglass,
ftuilding, Cobb, Fulton and
Prompt attention given
EDGE.
ATtdfflJEY AT LAW,
DOUGLASVILLE, GA.
O
°ctors.
DE. T. E, WHITLEY,
Physician and Surgeon
DOUGLasyile, qx.
Special attention to Surgery and Chronic Din
aras In *ivU r Vex.
Office Upstairs m Horsy. Brick Building.
p. s. verderyt
Physician and Surgeon
Office at his BESIDENCE, on Price street
where he ean »e found a, hon ■
when professionally engaged, gnocial atten-
«on given to Chronic else., and especiaUy
th *‘ haV6 bee “ tre “' d and stiff
ooc ’ lred - 1anl3 ’85-ly
THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE.
I earnestly urge that Congress recast the
appropriations for the maintenance of the di
plomatic und 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 gassignment of ade-
I TJ?*-: 6 salaries the s<*alled, notarial extra-
l 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
f overnment connected with the department
he 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
$322,690,706.8S. Of this sum $181,471,939.34
was received from customs and $112,498,725.54
from internal revenue. The total receipts, as
given ab,ove, were $24,829,163.54 less than
those for the year ended June 30, 1884. This
diminution embraces a falling off of $13,595,-
JP. * b . e receipts from customs and
$9,68<,346.97 in the receipts from internal rev
enue.
The total ordinary expenditures of the
government for the fiscal year were $260,226,-
935.50, 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,ne“ds 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 are applied which
they have adopted for their benefit and pro
tection; and it is never better administered
and its true 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 ondaequitable plan.
The proposition with which we have to
deal is the reduction of the revenue received
by the government, and indirectly paid by
the people 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 stabilty 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
-sf the rewards’of frugal industry.
THE SILVER QUESTION.
Nothing more important than the present
■condition, of our currency and cisinage v can
claim your attention. Since February, 1&78‘,
'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
) rely upon the
government to
■ gold, because
been inane icgal-
2 diiesi publfe and pn-
' i^lftslpsix months fifty-
•6Gejpte-||or duties have
.|©ri;iSeates,. while the
■0(1 has been twenty
(ion of silver and its
tiie IsBffemment will
... A on, for the
reason that,the nearei^he period approaches
when it will be oblige ftp offer silver in pay
ment of its obligations, '
ment there will bo to 111
predation in the valuc.c*'*fcb .v,r, or for the
purpose of speculatmguicSv
The hoarding of gold.Aas already begun.
When the time comes"
withdrawn from cu
be apparent the
the real value of tin
a dollar in gold, and
part company. Gold,
value, and necessary in o;
er countries, will be at a pi,
banks which have substita'
posits of their customers mai,
silver bought with such gold,
handsome profit; rich speculate
their hoarded gold to their ne“
need it to liquidate their foreign;,
ruinous premium over silver,and
men and women of the Kffiri,
fenceless of all, will find thOT (he dollar re
ceived for the wage of their toil has sadly
Shrunk in its purchasing poweVj" It may be
said that the latter result will bq but tempor
ary, and that ultimately the price ot labor will
be adjusted to the change; but ijven if this
takes place, the wage worker cannot possibly
gain but must inevitably lose,since*he price he
is compelled to pay for his living will not only
be measured in a coin heavily depreciated,
and fluctuating and uncertain ;m its value,
but this uncertainty in the vahte of the pur
chasing medium will be made the pi%text for
an advance in prices beyond that justified by
I think marshals and district attorneys
should be paid salaries adjusted by a n '
which -will make them commensurate with
services fairly rendered.
THE INDIANS.
The report of the se n-etary of the interi ■
containing- an account of the operate n--
t sis important department, and much n
e dug information w ill be submitted for >o;
! I se strengtn, 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 time 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 mau who, undefiled with plural
marriage, is surrounded in his single home
with his wife and children, lias a stake in the
country which inspires him with respect for
its laws and courage for its defence. These
are not the fathers of polygamous families..
There is no feature of this practice, or ttia
system which sanctions it, which is not op
posed to all that is of value in our institutions.
There should be no relaxation in the firm but
formance 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, buts®
steeped in partisan prejudice and rancor that
they have no loyalty to their chiefs and
no desire for their success. Civil service
refoim does not exact this, nor does iti
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
clerk, but it does prevent supplying his place
with the unfit party worker. Thus, in both
these phases, is seen benefit to the public ser
vice. And the people who desire good gov
ernment having secured this statute will not
relinquish its benefits without protest. Nor
are they unmindful of the fact that its full
, ousideratioii.
The most intricate and difficult subject in
(Large of this department is the treatment
..... „ ®ud management of the Indians. I am satis-
greatei- induce- fied that some progress may be noted in their
gold against de- . condition as a result of a prudent administra-
' ‘ 1 (ion of the present laws and regulations for
their control.
The history of all the progress which has
been 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
eur Indian wards.’
Fiat gold has been
^tion, then will
grence between
sjisvr dollar and
two coins will
he standard of
a lings with oth-
3 um over silver;
gold for the de-
’ pajf them with
S making a
rs will sell
(labors who
debts, at a
fee laboring
most de-
TilK 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
ple. The nation's prosperity is in their pros
perity. The nation’s glory is in the equality
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 in
view the original policy, which encourages
many purchasers of these lands, for homes
and discouraged the massing of large
areas. Exclusive c" ‘' ’
fifths of the national
subjected to contract
portion is j ,
A rapidly in- i
eys i just execution of the law now in operation, j advantages can only be gained through the
ule I and I should lie glad to approve such further ! complete good faith of those having its exe-
ltu discreet legislation as will rid the country of i cutiou in charge. And this they will insist
rhio Kl/vt- 74-^. 7— i u lipOIJ " / .
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 tot
require immediate amendment. This sub
ject'has repeatedly been considered by Con
gress, but no result has been reached!
The recent lamentable death of the Vice-
President, and vacancies at the . same
time in all 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. 1 wslfai',;, and the aspira-,
Lons of an inteihgens au.i gener
ous nation. To subordinate these to the
narrow advantages of partisanship, or tha
accomplishment of selfish ;.i.;,o, .... to -violate
the people’s trust and betray the people’s in
terests. lint, .in individual sense of responsi
bility ou the part of each of us. and a stem
determination to perform our duty weU,niustj
give us place among those who have aided in
their day and generation to the glory and
prosperity of our beloved land.
GroveIi Cleveland.
Washington, December 8, 1885.
this blot upon its fair name. Since the people
upholding potygamy in our Territories are re
enforced by immigration from other lands, I I
recommend that a law be passed to prevent
the importation of Mormons into the country.
AGRICULTURE.
The agricultural interest of the country
demands just recognition and liberal encour-
agement. It sustains with certainty and un- |
failing strength our nation’s prosperity by !
the product of its steady toil, and bears its |
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
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
preciated, when the statement is made that
of our total annual exports more than three-
fourths are the products of agriculture, and
of our total population nearly on '-half: are
exclusively engaged in that occupation.
The department of agriculture was created
for the purpose of acquiring and diffusing
among the people useful information respect-
cig the subjects it has in charge, and aiding
In the cause of intelligent and progress! v
farming, by the collection of statistics, b;
testing the value and usefulness of new seed-
and plants, and distributing such as are
found desirable among agriculturists. This
w.id other powers and duties with which this
fieoartment is invested are of the utmost im
portanoe, and if wisely exercised must be of
great benefit to the country. The aim of our
ueaotieeut government is the improvement of
th: people in every station, and the ameliora
tion of their condition. Surely our agricul
turists should not be neglected. The instru
mentality established in aid of the farmers of
actual depreciation.
The words uttered in 1834 by Daniel Web* ■ ^naming two-fiftb
ster in the Senate of the United States* are 1 - aa v mt ® n .V desert.,
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-metalism,
discussing our silver coinage, has lately
written: “No .American citizen’s hand has
yet felt the sensation of cheapness,
either in receiving or expending the Sil ver 1 - |
Act dollars.” And those who live by labor I
or legitimate trade will never feel that sensa- j
tion of cheapness. However plenty silver i
dollars may become, they will npt 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 his department,
and his recommendations and suggestions for
the improvement of the service.
_ aiytagey:. S A
The prohibition the importation into
; several countries of certain of our animals
imp their pvoflu.jte, based upon the suspicion
that health is endangered in their use and
; tomsmription, suggests the importance of
• such precautions for the protection of our
| stock of ;itl kinds against disease, as will dis-
; arm suspicion, of danger and cause theremov-
! al of such au injurious prohibition,
j If the laws now in operation are insufficient
i to accomplish this protection, I recommend
j their amendment to meet the necesities of the
situation, and I commend to the considera
tion of Congress the suggestions contained in
I the report of the commissioner of agriculture
J calculated to increase the value and efficacy
: of this department.
THE CIVIL 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.
I approve the recommendation of .the post
master-general to reduce the charges on
domestic money orders of five dollars and less
from ei&ht 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
master-general that another assistant be pro
vided tor 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;
creasing imputation creates a growing de-
mand for homes, and the accumulation of
j wealth inspires an eager competition to ob-
] tain the public land for speculative purposes.
| In the future this collision of interests will be
| more marked than in the past, and the execu-
I tion of the nation’s trust in behalf of oursettiers
j will be more difficult. I therefore commend
j to your attention the recommendations con-
j tamed in the report of the secretary'of the
interior with reference to the repeal and
modification of certain of our land laws.
PENSIONS.
It appears from the report of the commis
sioner of pensions that there were, on July 1,
3885, 345,125 persons borne upon the pension
rolls, who were classified as follows: Army
invalids, 241,456; widows, minor children and .
dependent relatives of deceased soldiers . v le report of the civil service commission,
78,841; navy invalids, 2,745; navy widows’ i 'vlccii will be submitted, contains an account
minor children and dependents, 1,926: sui vt 1 t!le manner in which the civil service law
.« Atjjjjjj--- - | has been executed during the last year, and
! much valuable information on this important
| subject.
I am inclined to think chat there
j is no sentiment more general in the
j minds of the people of our country
| than a conviction’ of the correctness
j 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
I subordinate public positions throughout the
i country. It applies the test of fitness to ap-
| plicants for these places by means of a com-
j petitive examination, and gives targe discre-
I tion to the commissioners as to the character
\ of the examination and many other matters
i connected with its execution. Thus the rules
1 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
] to execute the law with perfect fairness and
i with as little irritation as possible. But of
| course no relaxation of the principle which
I underlies it and no wakening of the safe-
f lards which surround it can be expected
xperience in its j administration wi ll proba-
| bly suggest amendment of the methods of ex
ecution, but I venture to hope that we
shall never again be remitted to
system vrtiich distributes puq-
lic positions purely as rewards for
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
istration inspires an immense army of claim
ants for office to lay siege to the patronage
of government, engrossing the time of the
public officers with their importunities,spread-
mg abroad the contagion of their
disappointment and filling this air with
the tumult of theta discontent.
The allurements of au immense number of
offices and places,'.exhibited to the voters of
the land, aud 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 5 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 pmpose, the support of principle,
the desire for. tlf$ public good and solici
tude for the nation’s welfare would be
nearly banished from the 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 aud 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-
vors of the war of 1812, 2,945; and widows of
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 I, 1875, the number of pensioners was
234,821, and the increase within the ten years
next thereafter was 11.0,304.
While there is no expenditm-e of the public
funds which the people more cheerfully ap-
prox’e 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
^ c ?^ ntrjr - For t* 10 year ended June 30,
1885, the applications for patents, including
reissues, and for the registration of trade
marks and labels, numbered 35,688. During
the same period there were 22,928 patents i tfeT
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-
during the last fiscal year were $1,074,-
974.35, 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-
Client relief to expectant inventors.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
rwi t j e c- T ? rritor y of TTtah 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 guilty
,wL b ,? el1 entered a »d a sligfit punishment
unposed, upon a promise by the accused that
they would not again offend against the law,
nfreU.*’ c ? un ' se , 1 ’ aid ) or abet, in any way,
its violation by others. J “Jr
.Ufah commissioners express the opin
ion, based upon such information as they are
able to obtain, that but few polygamous
marriages have taken place in the Territory
during tne 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
mass are holding office, yet at the last
il ectl ° n in tbe Territory all
tne officers elected except in on6
county were _ men who, though not
actually living in the practice of polygamy,
subscribe to the doctrine of polygamous mar-
riages as a divine revelation and a law unto
all, mgner and more binding upon the eon-
science than any human law, local or national,
lmis is a strailge spectacle presented of a
community protected by a Republican form
or 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.
Generals Gordon and Barlow.
The ex-Confederate General Gordon
relates an interesting story about two
interviews lie had with General Barlow.
At bharpsburg Barlow was apparently
mortally wounded, and r ell into Gordon’s
hands. Gordon look a, I'king in him:
and asked if he timid not do somethin*
for Barlow. “ I think not, general,”
said the younc man : “i shall he buried
here, no doubt. T do not expect, to live.
But von can do ope thing for me • here
is a package of let ere from mv'wife
which T- ish von to destroy before'my
ryes.” Gordon who was then a vnnng
man also, took tile le’ters and was about
destroy them, whoa Barlow. wGb a
hiihhle athis threat, murmured • “Would
A •« fa** th? trouble to,read me one ol
hem fir < ? im one will do.” Gordon
■ veiled one of the le ters and read if: to
the dvinir man—his last friendly words
perhaps, from home Then the letters
were destroyed. Bu< the incident, touched
Gordo' 1 i o that he msde special ox-
ovtion to have Barlow sent, through the
,.r to hove hi. wife admi'ted to bir
This being done Hie two armies f.
apart and tho 5( , t wo men saw o-m 1 - otic
no more Gordon considered Brelow lo
he dead. Barlow he'd also spun that a
Genera! Gordon had been killed ome-
whore. Topy met at, a frtand’v
table in W u shiiigten . but did ure know
each other through *he chan of time.
After some lanse. Gordon said : “Gen
eral Barlow, are you a relative of that
Bu-low who r as killed at Antietam?”
‘ No,” said the general, ‘ J am the same
man. Are yen an- relative,” inquired
Barlow, in turn, “of that, General Gor
don who was recent '■ killed on the O' -
federate side ?” “ hat was my cousin :
lam .John B. Gord n.” 7 lien at t.' "
request of the persons who overheard
Barlow told (he tale amid tears and
emotion s on every side
A Kind Employ • .
“I don’t see how I can gui, 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
I muse leave to-night unless I pay my
board, and I don’t know what I’m going
to do about it. ’
“I’m very sorry for you, my good
man,” said Bailey ; “but 1 don’t see how
I am going to heip you any Times are
so tight j Can’i cdiect anything.”
“If I could only get my board,” con
tinued the workman sadly, “I could get
along somehow t il times'get better, but
1. can’, live on a : r.”
“N ', I reckon not,” said Bailey,with a
far-away lock.
“Could,At you hoard me, Mr, Bailey?”
blurted out ihe unfortunate man, with a
sudden burnt of hope.
“Well, now, I shouldn’t wonder,”
mused the improvident boss. “I don’t
see nothing to hinder it. X get my flour
and meat on credit. I reckon you can
come over to the house.”
A Fream.—At Kilmacthomas Work
house Hospital a man named Vnite has
just bra n admitted, suffering from fright
ful injuries. He had been away from
his wife twelve months, and received a
letter from her stating she had dream»<!
ihat a great accident was to happen to
him, and imploring him w return home
at once Acting on her advice he
started for .Dublin. He reached Kilmac
thomas, and while passing toe 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.
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