National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-08

and before its final adoption should be ratified
by a majority Of those affected, The report OF
the Secretary of the Interior, herewith trans
mitted, gives much Interesting statistical In
formation which abstain from giving an alb
stract of, but refer you to the report itself.
THE PENSION LAWS.
The act of Congress providing the oath which
pensioners must subscribe to before drawing
theirpensions cuts offfrom this bounty few sur
Yivors Of the war of 1872 residing in the South
eTn States. recommend the restoration of
this bounty to all such. The number of per-
sons whose names would thus be restored to
the list of pensioners is not large. They are all
old persons, who could have taken no part in
the rebellion, and the services for which they
were awarded pensions were in defence of the
whole country.
THE AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
The report of the Commissioner of Agricul-
ture, herewith, contains suggestions of much
interest to the general public, and refers to
the approaching Centennial and the part his
Department is ready to take in it. l feel that
the nation at large is interested in having this
exposition a success, and commend TO Con-
gress such action as will secure a greater gen.
eral interest in it. Already many foreign
nations have signiied their intention to be rep
resented at it, and it may be expected that
every civilized nation will be represented. The
rules adopted to improve
THE CIVIL SERVICE
of the Government have been adhered to as
closely as has been practicable with the OppO-
sition with which they meet. The effect,
believe, has been beneficial on the whole, and
has tended to the elevation of the service But
1t is impracticable to maintain them without
direct and positive support of Congress- Gen
orally the support which this reform receives is
from those who give it their support only to
find fault when the rules are apparently
departed from. Removals from office without
preferring charges against parties removed
are frequently cited as departures from the
rules adopted, and the retention of those
against whom charges are made by irresponsi
BILE persons, and without good grounds, is also
often condemned as a violation of them.
Under these circumstances, therefore, an
nounce that If Congress adjourns without
positive legislation on the subject of sEciyiI
service reform" will regard such action as a
disapproVal of the system, and will abandon
it, except so far as to require examinations for
certain appointees to determine their fitness
Competitive examinations Will be abandoned
The gentlemen who have given their services,
without compensation, as members of the
board, to devise rules and regulations for the
government of the civil service of the country,
have shown much zeal and earnestness in
their work, and to them, as well as to myself
it will be a source Of modification if it is to
be thrown away. But repeat that it is i'm
possible to carry this system to a successful
issue without general approval and assistance
and positive law to support it.
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
1 have stated that three elements of pros
perity to the natiOn-capital, labor, skilled and
unskilled, and products of the sOil-still re-
main with us. To direct the employment of
these is a problem deserving the most serious
attention of Congress. If employment can be
given to all the labor offering itself prosperity
necessarily follows. l have expressed the
opinion, and repeat it, that the first requisite
to the accomplishment of this end is the sub
stitution OF a sound currency in place of one of
fluctuating 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 occu-
pied the attention of Congress. Much new
light on this question will, without doubt be
given by the committee appointed by the last
Congress to investigate and report upon this
subject.
OUR MARITIME INTERESTS.
A revival of ship building, and particularly OF
iron-steamship building, is of vast importance
to our national prosperity. The United States
is now paying over 800, 900, 900 per annum for
-.
carried and expended in the employment and
support of other peoples beyond a fair per-
centage of what should go to foreign vessels,
estimating on the tonnage and travel of each
respectively. 1t is to be regretted that this
disparity in the carrying trade exists, and to
correct it / would be willing to see great de-
parture from the usual course of government
in supporting what might usually be termed
private enterprise. / would not suggest as
IN IL,
lines, but would suggest the direct offer of
ample compensation for carrying the mails
between Atlantic sea-6oard cities and the con-
tinent on American-Owned and American-built
steamers, and would extend this liberality to
vessels carrying the mails to South Ameri-
can States and to Central America and Mexico,
and would pursue the same policy from our
Pacific seapOrts to foreign seaports on the
Pacific. 1t might be demanded that vessels
built for this service should come up to a
standard fixed by legislation in tonnage
speed and all other qualities looking to the
possibility of Government requiring them at
some time for war purposes. The right also
of taking possession of them in such emer-
gency should be guarded.
/ offer these suggestions, believing them
worthy of consideration in all seriousness, af-
fectiDg all sections and all interests alike If
anything better can be done to direct the
country into a course of general prosperity no
one will be more ready than to second the
plan.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Forwarded herew it'll will be found the re-
port of the Comm issiOneTs appointed under
an act of Congress approved June 20, 1874, to
wind up the affairs OF the District government
1t will be seen from the report that the net
debt of the District of Columbia, less securi-
ties on hand and available, is:
Bonded debt issued prior to July
l, 1874, IS, So, $40 43
3.65 bonds, act of Congress, June
90, 1874, 2,OSS, 16S 70
Certificates lthe Board Of Audit, 1, no, 55S -
SIS, T42, 657 81
Less special i'm