The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-12-11

territorial government for the Indian
Territory. A great majority Of the in
dians occupying this territory are belle
we'd to be incapable OF maintaining their
rights against the mo-e ciyiiizrd and en-
lightened man. ANY territorial form OF
Governmet given them, therefore, should
protect them in their homes and
property for a period Of at least tSenty
years, and before It's final adoption
should be ratified by Il majority OF those
affected.
The report Of the Secretary of the In
terror herewith attached, gives much in
teresting statistical information, which
abstain from giving an abstract of, but
refer you TO the rerort itself.
PENSIONS.
The act of Congress providing the
oath which pensioners must subscribe
before drawing their pensions cnts off
from the bounty a few survivors Of the
war Of 1912, residing in the Southern
/ States. | recomend the restoration of
this bounty to all such. The number of
/ persons whose names would be restored
to the list of pensions is not large.
They are all old pensioners, who could
have taken no part in the rebellion, and
the services for which they were awar-
ded pensions were in defense of the
/ whole country.
THE CENTENNIAL.
The report of the Commissioner, of
Agriculture, herewith, contains sugges-
tions of much interest TO the general
public, and refers to the approaching
Centennial, and the part his depart
ment is ready to take in it. 1 feel that
the Nation at large is interested in hav
ing this exposition a success, and COM
mend to Congress such action as will Sc
cure a greater general interest in it..
Already many foreign Nations have sig
nifed their intention TO be represented
at it. 1t may be expected that every
civilized Nation will be represented.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The rules adopted to improve the civ
il service of the Government have been
adhered to as closely as has heeD prac-
ticable with the opposition with which
they meet. The effect, l believe has
been beneficial on the whole, and has
tended to the elevation Of the service,
but il is impracticable to maintaia
them without the direct and positive
support of Congress. Generally the sup
port which this reform receiveis Is from
those who gave it their support only to
find fault when the rules are apparently
departed from. Removals from office
without preferring charges against the
parties removed are frequenaly cited as
departures from the rules adopted, and
the retention of those against whom
charges are made by irresponsible per.
sons and without good grounds is also
often condemned as a violation of them
Under these circumstances, Therefore,
announce that if Congress adjourns
without positive legislation on the sub
ject of civil service reform, / will regard
such action as disapprovl of the sys-
TEN, and will abandon it. Except so
far as to require examination for GER
tain appointees, to determine their fit
ness, competitive examinations will be
abandoned. The gentlemen who have
given their service without compensa-
tion, as members of the Board, to devise
rules and regulations for the govern
ment of the Civil Service of the coun-
ness in their work, and to them, as well
as to myself it will be source of morti-
fication if it is to be thrown away. But
| repeat that it is impossible to carry
this system to a successful issue without
general approval and assistance, and a
positive law to support it.
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
| have stated the elements of prosper
ity to the Nations capital and labor
skillsd and unframed, and products, of
the soil, still remain with us. To direct
the employment of this is problem de-
serving the most serious attention Of
Congress. If employment can be given
to all labor offering itself, prosperity ne
cessarily follows. have expressed the
| opinion, and repeat it, that the first re-
| quisite to the accomplishment of this
end is the substitution of a sound cur
rency in place of one of a fuctuating
value. This secured, there are many
interests that might be fostered, to the
great profit of both labor and capital.
| How to induce capital to employ labor
is the question. The subject of cheap
transportation has occupied the attention
of Congress. New light on this ques-
tion will, without doubt, be given the
committee appointed by the last Con-
gress to investigate and report upon the
subject.
REVIVAL OF sHIP-BUILDING
And particularly of iron steamship
building is of vast vast importance to
our National prosperity. The United
States is now paying over 100000
per annum for freights and passage on
foreign ships, to be carried abroad and
expended in the employment and sup
port of other people, beyond fair per-
centage of what should go to foreign
vessels, estimating ON the tunnage and
travel of each respectively. 1t is to be
regretted that this disparity in the carry
idg trade exists, and to correct it
would be willing to see a great departure
from the usual course of the Govern
ment in supporting what might be usual
ly termed private enterprise. / would
not suggest as a remedy direct subsidy
to American steamship lines, but
would suggest the direct offer of ample
compensation for carrying the mails be-
tween Atlantic and sea board cities and
the Continent on American owned and
American built steamers, and would ex-
tend this liberality to vessels carrying
the mails to the South American States,
o,I 20 Ca,tra1