The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-12-06

-. .a mas not been defined by any of
w. aut. ates, to my knowledge, but it
sesihS 70 De accepted as the same thingss
.;,n supply every mans wants
~iihou' any cost or effort on his part. A
tIue revenue reform cannot be made in a
day but must work By national leeislstion
and in time, as socn a. the reysnno 90 -
be dispensed, all duty should bs removed
from coffee, tea, and other articles
of universal use not produced by our.
selves the necessities Of the country com
pei US to collect revenue from our import.
An army of Assistant Assessors and Col
lectors is not pleasant sight to the citi-
zen; but that tariff tor revenue is nee
essary. Such . tariff % far as it acts in
encouragement to home products, affords
employment to labor at lasting wages, in
contrast to the pauper labor IF the cid
world; and also. IN the development of
home resources.
The expenses ofthe navy for the whole of
last year. from December I, 1859, the date
Of the last report. are less than $19, 000.-
000-about 81 ,000, 900 less than they were
commcncent Of the fiscal year, i.e., fInce
Aetp bhOW lOi INC ave AAtAth5 . oO-
crease of 100000 from those Of the
months of last year. The
estimates for the current year were $2S,-
205.67So3, those for next year are SEQ,
6S3.Sl700, with 1856, 10000 additional
for necessary permanent Improvements
These estimates are uxds closely, for the
maintenance of the establishment, as
it now is, without much in tho nature Of
permanent improvement. The appropri-
ations made for the last and cuyrent years
were evidently intended by Congress, and
ere sufficient only, to keep the navy On its
present footing, by the repairing ard re-
fitting of our old ships. This policy must,
of course, gradually but surely destroy the
navy, and it is in itself far from econon
ical, As each year that it is pursued the ne.
cessity for more repairs in ship and navy
yards become more imperative and more
costly, and our current expenses are an
nually increased for the mere repair of
ships. many Of which must soon become
unsafe and useless
/ hope during the present session of
Congress to be able to submit to it .
plan by which naval vessels can be built
and repairs made with great saving upon
the present cost. It can hardly be wise
ststesmanship in . Government which
represents . country with over I've thou
sand miles of coast line On both oceans,
exclusive of Alaska, and containing forty
millions Of progressive people, with re-
lation of every nature with almost every
foreign country, to rest with such made
quate means Of enforcing any foreign
policy, either of protection or redress
Separated by the oceans from the nations
of the Eastern Continent, our navy is cur
only means OF protection to our
citizens abroad, CT for the enforce
ment of any foreign policy.
POST CPFICR.
The accompanying report of the Post
master General shows a most satisfactory
working Of this Department Of theUuited
States. The adoption of the recon-
mendation contained therein, particularly
those relating to = reform in the ranking
privileges a ID the adoption Of CORES
pondence cards. a selfsustainiDg postal
system may speedily be looked for, and Al
no distant day a further reduction Of the
rate of postsge attained.
recommend the authorization by Con-
gress, of the Postmaster General, and At
torncy General, to issue all commissions
to officials appointed through their re-
spective Departments. At present these
commissions when appointed, are Presi-
Dental, and are issued by the State De-
partment. The law in the Departments
Of the government, except those Of the
Post Office and of Justice, authorizes each
to Issue its own commissions
CIVIL SERVICE RRYoRM.
Always favoring practical reforms,
respectfully call your attention to one
abuse Of long standing, which l should
like to see remedied by this
Congress. 1t is . reform in the civil ser.
vice of the country. would have it 60
beyond the mere fixing of the tenure of
office OF clerks and employees who do no:
require the advice and consent of the SEN
ate to make their appointments complete.
l would have it govern, not the tenure,
but the manner Of making all appoint
ments. There is no duty which SO much
embarrssses the Executive and heads of
Departments as that of appointments, nor
is there any such arduous and thankless
labor imposed on Senators and Represent
atives as that Of finding places for con-
stItuents. The present system does not
secure the best, and often not even fitness
for public places. The elevation and pur-
lficstion of the civil service Of the Gov
ernmeat will be hailed with approval 10y
tie whole people Of the Unite States
INDIAN AfYAIRa
Reform in the management ct Indian
Affairs has received she especial
attention Of the Administrations,
from its Inauguration 10 the present day
The experiment Of making it missionary
work was tried with few agencies given
TO the determinations Of Friends, and
has been found to work most advanta-
geously. All agencies and superintendent
cies not 20 disposed Of were given to OH.
Gers Of the army. The act Of Congress
regulating the army, renders army Of6cers
ineligible for civil positions. Indian
agencies being civil Offices, determined
to give all the agsncies 10 such religious de-
nominations - bad heretofore established
missionaries among the Indians, and per
Asps 70 some other Denomination, who
veald undertake the work On the same
terms - missionary orkh
The societies selected are allowed to
AA0s their owA agents. subject to the ap-
prevail Of the Executive, and are expected
to watch over them and aid then - mis-
siona1ies, 10 ChTistiAnize and civilize the
Indian, and to teach lin In the arts Of
peace. The Government watches over the
odlcial acts Of these agents, and qaires Of
them - strict an accountability - il
they were appointed in any other manner.
I entertain the confident hope that the
policy now pursued, will, In . few years.
bring al Ina'.as. upon ressrvaiionA.
when they will lave in house,. have school
houses and churches when they will be
pAssulng peaceful and sslf-susssinipg
avocation, and where they may lie Waited
BY the law:.ab,dins white man With the
same impaAity that he now
visits she civilized white settle
msntA I eall your special attention
TO she report Of the Commissioner Of In.