Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-12-06

ment Without these CONDITIONS \ g. Al.
only mischief anu m,si9r,u' would follow
ity Of unlimited legal tenler even in nr ;'.,,,
transactions. An Expectation of .cmnorarv
ease from an issHa of silver coinage To pa s as n
legal tender ut "a rec materially above its com
....;.,s;tial value, Is | an persuaded. delusion.
Nor can a .nInk that there ia any substantial
distinction between an original Issue of silver
dollars, nt q nominal value materially above
their commercial valuo, and the resto-
ration of the silver dollar at rate
which once wac, but ha, ceased
IN -, its commercial value Certainly the issue
of our eo,o coinage, reduced in weight material
~ below its lcsai .-~nder value, would not be
any the less a present dcpc-ssment at the coin
age by reason of its cquallng or even exceeding
lis weight gold com which, at some pass
time, had been commercially cGual to the legal
tender value assigned to the new issue. In
recommending that the regulation of new silver
sboild observe these conditions OF com
mercial value and limited legal
tender. l am governed by the feeling
that every possible increase should be given to
the volume of metallic money, which can DO
kept in circulation, and thereby every possible
aid afforded TO the people, in the process of re-
Stunning specie payments. IL is because OF my
conviction that disregard of these conditions
would Illustrate the good results which are de-
sired from the proposed coinage, and embarrass
the business of the country. that | urge
upon your attention these considerations.
L respectfully recommend to Congress that Ia
any legislation providing for silver coinage,
and imparting to il the quality of legal tender,
there be impressed on the measure a firm pro-
vision exempting the public drbt heretofore is-
sued, and now outstanding from payment.
either o. principal or interest in any coinage of
less value than the present gold coinage OF tie
country.
THE cIyu. SERVICE.
The organization of the civil service of the
country has for u number of years. attracted
IN IRE and more OF public attention. So general
has become the opinion that the methods of adj
mission TO il and the conditions of remaining in
il are unsound, that both the great political par
ties have agreed in most explicit declarations of
the necessity of reform. anu in the most emphat-
ic demands for it. have fully considered the
declarations and demands to be the expressions
of the sincere conviction of the intelligent mass
es of the people upon the subject, aud that they
should be recognized aud followed 10y earnest
and prompt action on the part of the legislature
and executive departments Of tho govern
ment. Ia pursuance OF tho purpose indi, aied.
before my accession 20 Office | underworld tn
have my own views distinctly understood, and
upon my inauguration my accord with the pub
lie opinion was stated in terms believed to be
plain and unainbiguous- My experience in the
executive duties has solely confirmed belief in
the great advantage the country would find in
observing u strict compliance with the constitu-
ton, which imposes ON the executive the sole
duty and responsibility of the selection of those
Federal officers who. by law. are appointed.
not elected, and which, In like manner.
assigns TO tho Senate the complete right To adj
wise and consent or to reject the no1iina-
tious made, whilst the House of Representa-
rvcs stands as the public censor Of tho per
formances OF official duties, with the prerogsiive
OF investigating and furnishing in all cases Of
dereliction. Tho blernishes anil imperfections
OF the civil service may, rs think, tie traced in
most cases to . practical confusion Of the duties
assigned to the several departments of the
government. My purpose in th.s respect has
been to return to the system established by the
fundamental law. and to do this with the hear
test cooperation and most cordial understand
ing with the Senate and House of Representa-
tiyes. The practical difficulties in the selection
oil the numerous officers for tie posts of widely
varying responsibilities and duties are acknowi-
edged To be very great. No system can be ex.
pected TO secure absolute freedom from mistakes,
and the beginning OF our attempted change Of
in this respect than at any subsc-
quent period. IL is here that the oon-
stitution presents the stronyest claims
TO the great wisdom accorded To IL. IL gives to
tho Executive tnc assistance of the knowledge,
and experience of tine Scnate, which, wlsau net
ing upon nominations rs TO which they may he
dissnterestcd and impartial Judges secures "a
strong n guaranty oi freedom from errors Of i'm
portance AS Is perhaps possible in human affairs.
La addition to this, recognize the public al
vantage of making all nominations as nearly
as possible pf'ersonal in the sense of being free
from mere caprice favor. La rIosc directions
and in these Offices in which spccia. trainin. IL
OF greatly increased value, claim such n rule
as To the tenure OF office should obtain as may
induce men OF pruper qualifications 70 appIy
themselves industr.ou=ly TO tho task OF bccous
ing proficient. Bearing these Things In n,ind-
have endcayo-ed tn reduce tile number of chan -.
"a subordinate Places asuaily maas upon the
rhz,,~- OF general administration, and shall
sys,en,stzsus 81 s6c ,iodes and rules OF adlnis-
ssun To the public sefv,c., and Of promotion
within IL. as may PROMISE to De -,ost successs
iui. IN making tn"rvugh competency e,s.sieney
and character the decisive tests in these nm.
tiers. ! ask the renewed attention of Coprrrss
to what has already been dune by the civil
service commission appointed m pursuanco of
an act Of Congress by my predecessor 10 pre-
pare and revise the clyilservice rules IN REGARD
10 much Of the department. service especially
al Washington. IL may be difficult 20 .. ! an,ie
a better SYSTEM than that wbica has thus bscp
provided, aud IL - now beias used To ca nsid-
erabio extent under my direction. The com
inissipu has "a still legal existence, although for
several years no appropriation has been made
Tor Gsiraying Its EXPENSES. Believing that tns
colnmissscil has rendered valuable servics ,n
improving The administration of the ciysl ser
y ~ = Aerf"<t.hht ftttfufucit0 tuut suitable
appropriation DO immcdiafosy made to enable
u 10 continue ITS services II - my purpose 10
transmit 10 Corgres~ rs early As pr;sctlcsbie.
report Dy the chairman of the eolumiss,ou.
aud 10 ask YOUR attention to such mcsssnrrs on,
tins subject ~. IN my opinion, will further pro-
mote the Improvement OF the civii service.
fokKfcS RELATIONS.
Daring the past year tho United States have
continued to maintain peaceful relations With
forei;,n powers. The outbreak of war between
Russia and Turkey, though at each tune at
tended by grave apprehension as to its effrc:
upon other European nations, has had no ten
dcney TO disturb the amica5lc RELATIONS existing
between tho United States aud each Of the con-
tending powers. An attitude of just and impar-
tissl neutrality has been preserved, and am
xratiiied TO state that in the midst of their hos
fillties both the Russian aud Turkish govern
ments have shown an earnest desire to adhere
10 the obligations Of all treaties with the Unitea
States, anu give duo regard to the rights of
AM rican citizens.
he the terms Of the treaty defining the rights,
inilnunities and privileges of consuis, between
Italy and the United Stafea ma,l.