Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1870-12-09

but that or tariff for revenue is
necessary. Such a tariff, so far as il
acts in encouragement to home pro
duets. affords employment to labor
at living wages Pm contrast to tile
pauper labor of the old world, and
also aids i'm the development Of our
home resources.
ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Iregret to say that no conclusion
has been reached for the adjustment
of the claims against Great Britain,
growing out of the course adopted
10y that government during the re-
bellion. The cabinet of London, SO
far as its views have been expressed,
does not appear to be willing 20 con-
cede that her Males tvs government
was guilty Of negligence, or did or
permitted any act during the war of
which the United States has Just
cause for complaint. Our firm and
unalterable convictions are directly
the reverse. therefore recommend
to Congress to authorize the appoint
ment of a mission to take proofs
of the amounts, the ownership and
their claims, on notice to the repre-
sentative of her Majesty at WASH
ington, and that authority he given
for the settlement of these claims by
the United States, so that the gov
eminent shall have the ownership
of the private claims, as well as the
responsible control of the demands
against Great Britain. 1t cannot be
necessary to add that whenever her
Majesty's government shalt entertain
a desire for full and friendly adjust
ment of these claims, the United
States will enter upon their consid-
Grafton with an earnest desire for a
conclusion consistent with the honor
and dignity of both nations.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
I respectfully call your attention to
one abuse of long standing, which /
would like to see remedied by Com
gress. IT is a reform in the civil SER
vice of the country. 1 would have
it go beyond the mere fixing of the
ten ure of the office clerks and EN-.
p,oyes, which does not require the
advice and consent of the Senate to
make their appointments complete.
[ would have it govern, not the ten
ure, but the manner of making all
appointments. There is no duty
which SO embarrasses the executive
and heads Of departments as that of
appointments; nor Is there any such
arduous and thankless labor imposed
on Senators and Representatives as
that of finding places for constitu-
ents, The present system does not
secure the best men, and often even
not fit men for public places. The
elevation and publication of the
civil service of the government Will
be hailed with approval by the
whole people of the United State.
THE CENSUS.
The work of the census bureau has
been energetically prosecuted. The
preliminary report containing much
information of special value and
interest will be ready for delivery
during the present session. The re-
maiuing volumes will be complete
with all dispatch consistent with per-
feet accuracy N arranging and clas-
styling the returns. We shall at no
distant day be furnished with an
authentic record of our condition
and resources. 1t will, | doubt not,
attest the growing prosperity of the
country, although during the decade
which has Just closed il was 30 sc
verely tried by the great war waged
to maintain its integrity and to Sc
cure and perpetuate our free institu-
tiOns.
THE IDEAL OF A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
In conclusion I would sum up the
policy of the administration to be-a
| thorough enforcement of every law ;
a faithful collection of the taxes
economy i'm the disbursement of the
same; prompt payment of the
debt of the nation; reduction OF
taxes as rapidly as the requirements
of the country admit-the reduction
of taxation and the tariff to be so
arranged as to afford the greatest
relief to the greatest number; hon
est and fair dealings with all other
nations, to the end that war, with
all its blighting consequences may
| be avoided-but without surrender
ing any right or obligation due to
the United States reform in the
treatment of the Indians, and in the
whole civil service of the country ;
and finally the securing of pure,
untrammelled ballot, so that every
man entitled to cast vote may do Sc
! just once at each election, without
fear of molestatiOn or prescription
on account of his political faith, ma
| tivity. or color.
(Signed.) U. S. GRANT.