New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-08

IMAM Win 01t064 OF tho OtDo1 00po8t00ut0
of government. Its duties have been added
to, from time TO time, until they have be-
come so Onerous, that without the most
perfect system and order, it will be imp0s-
sible for any Secretary of the Interior to
keep trace of all official transactions having
his sanction, and done in his name, and for
which he is held personally Responsible.
The policy adopted for the management
INDIAN AFFAIRS
KIN own as the peace policy, has been ad
hered to with most beneficial results. 1t Is
con tidently hoped that q few years more
will relieve our frontier from danger of
Indian depredations. ! commend the rec
ommen dation Of the Secretary for the
extension OF the
HOMESTEAD Law
To the Indians, and for some sort Of terri
tOrial government for the Indian Territory.
A great majority Of the Indians occupying
this Territory are believed yet to be inca
pable Of maintaining their rights against
the more civilized and enlightened white
man.
Any territorial form of government given
them. therefore, should protect them in
their homes and property for period Of at
least twenty years, and before its final
| adoption should be ratified by q majority of
those affected. The report of the Secretary
| Of the Interior, herewith attached, gives
much interesting statistical information
which l abstain from giving an abstract of,
but refer you TO the report itself. The act
of Congress providing the oath which pen
sioners must snbscribe to before drawing
their pensions cuts off from this bounty
few Survivors of the war of 1919 residing in
the Sout hern States. I recommend the
restoration Of this bounty TO ali such. The
number of persons whose names would thus
H., \ A. e l.
large. They are allowed to be persons who
could have taken no part in the rebellion.
and the services for which they were
awarded pensions vas in defense Of the
whole country.
THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRI
CULTURE
Herewith contains suggestions OF much in
terest to the general public and refers to
the approaching centennial and tho part
his department ID ready to take in it.
feel that the nation at large is interested in
having this exposition q success, and re-
commend to Congress such action a. will
secure greater general interest in it.
Already many foreign nations have signified
their intention to be represented, and it may
be expected that every civilized nation will
be represented.
The Sules adopted to improve the
CIVIL eERviCB
OF the government have been adhered O. a.
close as has been practicable with the 0p-
position with which they meet. The effect.
I believe, has been beneficial on the whole,
and has tended to the elevation Of the
service, but it is impracticable to maintain
them without direct and positive support
Of Congress. Generally the support which
this reform receives ia from those who give
it their support only to find fault when the
rules are apparently departed from. Re.
movals from Office without preferring
charges agains. parties removed are fire..
quently cited as departures from the rules
adopted. and the retention of those against
whom charges are made by irresponsible
persons, and without good grounds, is also
often condemned vs. . violation of them.
Under these circumstances. therefore, I
announce that if Congress Sdjourns without
positive legislation on the subject If civil
service reform. ] will gegayd such action
as .
DIsAPPRovAL OF fHR SYSTEM.
And will abandon it. except so far as 60 Re-
quire examinations for certain appointe co.
to determine their fitness. Competitive ex.
aminations will be abandoned. The gentle
men who have given their services without
compensation az members of the board to
devise rules and regulations for the govern.
ment of the civil service Of the country have
shown much zeal and earnestness in their
work. and to them. us well as 20 myself. it
will he q source of modification if it is
thrown away. But I repeat that it is i'm
possible to carry this system to y successful
issue without general approval and assist
ance, and positive law to support it.
have stated that
THREE ELEMENTS or PROSPERITY
To the nation capiral. labor. skilled and un.
skilled, and products Of the soil still remain
with us. To direct the employment Of
these is problem deserving the most ser;.
Gus attention Of Congress. If employ ment
can be given to all the labor Offering itself
prosperity necessarily follows. have ex.
pressed the opinion. and repeat that the
first requisite to the accomplishment of this
place of one of q fuctuating value. This
secured. there are many interests that
might be fostered to the grea' p o . Of 9th
labor and capital. How to induce capital
to employ labor 10 the questi0n.
Tho subject Of
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION
Has occupied the attention Of Congress
much new light on this question will, with
out doubt. be given by the committee ap.
pointed by the last Congress to investigate
and report.
REVIVAL or sHfp BUILDING.
And particularly of iron steamship build.
ing is of vast importance to our national
The United States is now paying over
$780, 900 per annum for freights and
passage on foreign ships, to be carried
abroad and expended in the employment
and support of other peoples-beyOnd Q fair
percentage Of what ehould go to foreign
vessels. estimating on the tonnage and
travel Of each respectively. It ia to be
regretted that this
DISPARITY IN THE CARRYING TRADE.
Exists. and to correct it would be willing
to sea great departure from the usual
course OF government in what might
usually be termed private enterprise. ]
would not suggest as q remedy direct sub.
sidy to American steamship lines, but /
would suggest the direct offer of q com.
pensation tor carrying the mails between
Atlantic eeaboard cities and the continent
on American owned and American built
steamers, and would extend this siberality
to vessels carrying the mails 70 South
American States and to Central America |
and Mexico. and would pursue the same
policy from our Pacific soapOrts to foreign
seaports on the Pacific. It might be de. /
handed that vessels built for this service
shonld come up to 3 standard, fixed by !
legislation in tonnage, epeed, and all other |
qualities. looking to the possibility Of gov. !
srnment requiring them at some time for
war purposes. The right, also, Of taking |
possession Of them in such emergency I
should be guarded. I offer these sugges. I
tons believing them worthy of considera. |
lion in all seriousness, affecting all eections ]
and all interests alike. If anything better
can be done to direct the o0uatry into .
course Of general prosperity, no one will be
more ready than to second the plan.
Forwarded herewith will be found the
oc l