Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-12-08

P-Ni"vvi"yV per hhnum, hnd enact an aggFp,
gate saving to the United States of more
than 09,0O0,0OO before the bonds can be
lully paid, In adapting the new silver coin.
age to the ordinary uses OF currency in the
everyday transaction Of life and preserving
the quality of the legal tender to be assigned
to 1t, consideration of the first importance
should be so to adjust the ratio between the
silver and gold coinage, which now consti.
tutes onr specie currency as to accomplish
the desired end Of maintaining the circula.
ton OF the two metallic currenCies and keen.
Ing up the volume of the two precious
metals as our intransc money. II is a mixed
question for scientific reasoning and histo>
rical experience to determine how far and
by what methods practicable equilibrium
can be maintained which will keen both
metals IN circulation In their apprOpriate
spheres OF common use. An absolute
equality OF commercial value, free from dis.
turblng fluctuations, is hardly attainable
and without it an unlimited legal tender for
private transactions assigned to botn metals
would tend TO drive out OF circulation the
dearest coinage, and disappoint the princi.
pal object proposed by the legislation in
view, / apprehend, therefore, that
the conditions Of a near approach
to equality Of commercial value
between the gold and silver coinage of the
same denomination and Of Limitation of
amounts for which the silver coinage is to
be legal tender, are essential to maintain.
ing bOthin circulation. If these conditions
can be successfully observed, the issue from
the mint of silver delars would afford mate.
rial assistance to the community in the
transition n ihn ra1anp,a hIo
and would facilitate the resumption of specie
payment and its permanent establishment.
Without these conditions | fear that only
mischief and misfortune would follow from
n coinage of silver dollars with the creation
OF unlimited legal tender. Even in private
transactions any expectation of temporary
ease from an issue of silver coinage to pass as
n legal tender at rate materially above its
commercial value is, ] am persuaded, delu
sion, nor can think that there is anv sub.
stantial distinction between an original issue
OF silver dollars alta nominal value materially
| above their commercial value, and the resto.
ration of the silver dollar at rate which
once was, but has ceased to be, its commercial
value. Certainly the issue of our gold coin
age at reduced weight materially below its
legal tender value would be any the less a
debasement of the coinage by reason of its
equalling or even exceeding in weight good
coinage which, at some past time, had been
commercially equal to the legal tender value
assigned to the new issue. In recommending
that the regulation of any silver coinage
which may be authorized by congress should
observe these conditions of commercial value
and limited legal tender ! am governed by
the feeling thst everypOssil | increase should
be given to the volume OF metallic money
which can be kept in circulation, and thereby
every possible aid afforded to the people in
the process of resumng specie payments 1t
! is because OF my conviction that disregard
OF these conditions would Illustrate the good
results which are desired from the proposed
coinage, and embarraSs with new elements
Of confusion and uncertainty the business oil
the country, that urge upon you attention
to these considerations
respectfully recommend to congress that
in any legislation providing for silver coin.
age and imparting to it the quality of legal
tender, there be impressed on the measure q
hrm provision exempting the public debt
hCretOre issued and now outstanding from
the payment either of principal or interest in
any coinage of less value than the present
| Sol" NuIhhSS VI lnt t"unuls
The organization OF the civil service of the
country has for number of years attracted
more and more OF public attention. So gen
eral has become the opinion that the method
OF admission to it and the conditions OF
remaining in it are unsOund, that both the
| great political parties have agreed in a most
explicit declaration the necessity ofreform
aud in the most emphatic demands for it.
have fully considered the declarations and
demands to be the expressions of the sincere
conviction of the intelligent masses of the
people upon the subject and that they
should be recognized and followed by earnest
and prompt action on the part of the legis,
latlve and executive departments OF the
government, in pursuance of the purpose
indicated. Before my accession TO office,
endeavored to have my views distinctly
understood, and upon my Inauguration, my
accord with the public opinion was stated in
terms believed to be plain and unambiguous
Nv experience in the executive duties has
strongly confirmed my belief in the grea
advantage the country would find in observ
ing strictly the plan OF the constitution, which
imposes upon the executive the sole duty
and responsibility Of the selection OF thosC
Federal officers who, by law. are appointed
not elected. In like manner was assigned t
the senate the complete right to advise anC
consent to, or to reject, the nominations 81
made. Whilst the house OF representative
stands as the public censor of the performanc,
of official duties, with the prelOg Itive 0
: investigation, and providing in eli cases o
derelictOns, the blemshes and imperfection
, in the civil service may, as think, be trace
in most cases to practical confusion of tn
duties assigned to the several departments 0
the government. My purpose in this respeC
has been to return to the system estahlishe
by the fundamental law, and to do this wit
I The heartiest cooperation and most cOrdia
, understanding with the senate and house 9
representatives. The practical difficulties i
o the selection of the numerous officers for th
. posts of widely.varying responsibilities an
duties, are acknowledged to be very grea
. No system can be expected to secure abs
4 lute freedom from mistakes, and tn
h he inning of an attempted change OF custol
Q is quite likely to be more embarrassed in III
. respect than at any subsequent period. 1t
o here that the constitution gives TO us til
v most positive proof OF its claims to the grei
!. wisdom accorded to it. 1t gives to IL
4 executive the assistance OF the knowledl
and experience Of the senate, which, whe
r acting upon nominations, as to which the
NAV be disinterested and impartial judge
n secures as strong guarantee from freedo
h of errors of importance, as is possible
.. human affairs. In addition to this, | TeeO
"a nize the public advantage of making Q
n nominations, as nearly as possible, persons
h in the sense of being free from mere capri
.. or favor in these directions and to tho
offices in which special trainingis Of great
10 increased value. | claim that such a rule
10 10 the tenure of office should obtain such
lv ducements as may induce men OF prop
h qualifications to apply themselves indr
70 triousy to the task of becoming prntciel
II Rearing these things in mind, | ha
n. ondeayored to reduce the number Of chang
lv in subordinate places, usually made up {
~ the change of general administration, al
ii shall most certainly cooperate with cOngrI
no in A better system by such modes and rul
ot Of admission as the public service and p
N. motion within it as may promise to be mi
ID successful in making thorough conpetenC
to efficiency and character the decisive tests
", these matters. ! ask the renewed attenti
n, Of congress to what has already been do
ad bv the civil service commission, appointed
al nrrsuance of an act of congress by my pre-
" Iv cessor, to prepare and revise the civil serv
er rules. ,-..
Is, In regard to much of the department
in service, especially at Washington, itmav
at difficult to organize better system tnan q
he he which has thus been provided, aud it is n
aw being used to considerable extent UNI
,ss nv direction. The commission has still
~ laval existence, although for several ye
,of NO appropriation has been made for defray
,se ~, ia M EXPENSES. Believing that this commiss
n. ~ has % n rendered valuable agency in improv
~ ~. the the administration Of the civil service, ii
dc M NV NV nurpose to transmit to congress as ca
Do' @ as as practicable report by the chairman
M. ~, rbe commission, and to ask your attention
I'D Id smcb @ measures on this subject as in
I'm oninion will further promote improvement
H. | a. n o;y;I 1aPVlce.