The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-12-09

make their nome among the white people,
will be collected there AS a preparato.
ry step tothis consummation, am satisfied
that territorial form OF government,
should be given them which will secure
treaty rights as equal settlers, and protect
their homesteads flom alteration for
period of 20 years.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
In three successive messages TO Con-
gress | have called attention to the sub
ject OF Civil Service Reform. Action
has been taken so far as to authorize the
appointment OF board to devise rules
governing the methods OF making appoint
ments and promotions; but there never has
been any action making ihesc rules or any
rules binding or even entitled to obser-
vance. where persons desire the appoint.
ment of friend or the removal Of an of.
fcer who may be disagreeable to them.
To have any rules effective, they must
have the acquicscdnce Of congress as well
as of the executive. | recommend there
fore the subject to your attention, and
suggest that special committee of Con-
gress might confer with the Civil Service
Board during the present session for the
purpose Of devisng such rules as can be
maintained, aud which will secure the ser.
vice Of honest and capable officials, and
which will also protect them in degree OF
independence while in office. Proper
rules will protect Congress as well as the
oxcrcutive from much needless persecu.
ton, and will prove Of great value to the
public at large.
COLORADO NOMINATED AS A STATE.
| would recommend for your favorable
consideration the passge otan act for the
admittancc of Colorado as a State in the
Union. 1t possesses all the elements o.
a prosperous state, agriculture and miner
al, and | believe has a population tc
justify such admission. In connection
with that | would also recommend thu
encouragement of canal for the purpos
es Of navigation from the Rocky Noun
tains to the Missouri River. AS u rule
am opposed to further donations Of pub
lie land for internal improvements ownet
and controlled by private corporations
but in this instance | would make one ex
cepton. Between tho Missouri ant
Rocky mountains there is a belt of pub
lie land from 800 to 500 miles in widtl
perfectly useless for tllagc, from tn
want of sufficient rain to secure tn
growth of any products. On irrigating
the canal would make productive a bel
$ as wide as the supply of water could b
f made to spread over across this entir
country, and would secure Gordon O
t settlements connecting the present popu
r lation of the mountain and mining region
, with that Of the other States. All land
reclaimed would be clear gain. If alter
nate sections are retained by the govern
, ment, | would recommend that the retair
&. ed sections be thrown open to entry ur
f.. der the homestead laws, or sold to actut
r settlers for very low prices.
!, GENERAL AMNESTY.
: | renew my previous recommendation
o to Congress for a general amnesty. Th
> number engaged in the late rcbellion yt
C laboring under disabilities is very small
y, = but enough to keep constant irrit;
u ton. No possible danger can accrue
" the government by restoring them
G eligibility to held office.
CIVIL RIGHTS.
|. | suggest for your consideration tt
enactment of law to better secure tt
il civil rights which the freedmen shoul
/. secure, but which have not been effec
G ually secured TO the cnfranchiscd sla'
+. es.
O.