Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-12-06
rae PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

President Hayes in his message to
Oh Monday gives the largest
to the three subjects which
ire at this tims the most important
ssues in politics. They are the South
,rn policy of the administration, the
finances, and the reform of the civil
service.
In the opening Of his message, the
President enters at once upon a discus
sion of his. Southern policy, which he
justifies upon theground. of both ex
pediency aud constituti0naiity. He af-
6rrus with confidence that the policy
was best for sectional determination
was in harmony with the Constitution,
was the best under the circumstances,
that its beneficent results are apparent,
that it is not an experiment, that all
danger from remitting the lately re-
VOTED States to local self-gOvernmentis is
now removed, and that the fruits have
already justified this course, az time
will vindicate it in the public mind.
As to resumption, the message is de-
cidely against any waveringof purpose
or any back ward step. As to the silver
Question, the message holds that the
bonds are all Ia good faith payable in
gold coin or its equivalent, and also
that more can be gained by good faith,
by reducing the rate of interest, than
by imparing Our credit by declaring
them payable in silver. 1t is for the
rnOnetization of silver to such an eX-
tent as can be with an equality in the
value OF gold and silver coins, but re-
CARDS it impracticaDie to SO adjust Their
values as that they can be kept equiv.
alent if silver shall be unlimited in
coinage and legal tender.
The President declares his intention
to adhere to the principle of reform o.
the civil service, by reforming the
manner of appointments and removals
and observing the plan of the Consti
! tuition; which imposes upon the Exec
utive the sole duty and responsibility
OF selecting officers; also, to make al
nominations as nearly as possible im
personal, in the sense of being fret
from caprice or favor in these direc
tions, and 10 have such a rule for ten
ure of office as shall induce persons o
proper qualifications to become prof
clients in ther duties. To this end h'
asks the co operation of the Senate ant
House, and he also recon- mends an ap
preparation to renew the work of th'
Civil, Service Commission, which, i
appears, is still in existence.
OF subjects connected with the for
eign relations of the United States, th'
Mexican border question is naturall.
given the most prominence. The con
EDITION of affairs on the Rio Grand
frontier, as shown by official reports re
Iceived by the Administration, is brief
ly described; and the consideration
which led to the order to the com man
lders Of u. s. troops to cross the rive
when in full pursuit of raiders, AM
punish them on Mexican soil are r.
Icited. While the President recognize
the delicacy of the pos.. assumes
by the Governm by the issue of tina
order and is not unmindful of the fac
that it may lead to serious information
al complications, he defends it on tn
ground that in no other way could tn
lives and property of our citizens b
protected. He discIaims any intention
or desire, to provoke hOstilities witt
the Mexican Republic. s-f
This part of the message shows tha
the foreign policy of the Administra
tion, while it is u vigorous one, is no
one which seeks trouble with other ma
tiOns, although IT evinces disposition
to accept the consequences of any &C
which is necessary for the protection
Of the rights of American citizens.
In treating of subjects which com
under the jurisdiction of the Interio
Department considerable prominenc
is given to the Indian question. Th
necessity Of keeping good faith wit
the Indians is strongly emphasized
Fhe first step toward civilizing tn
Indians recommended is the dis
couragement of hunting by allowin
to them only limited supply of arm
and ammunition and persuading theI
|, TO exchange their ponies for cattle
As fast as the Indians give up huntin
the President thinks they should b
placed on smaller number of re
servations and taught agriculture an
cattle raising. The compulsory educf
tion of Indian children is also recon-
meuded. The farms supported by tn
; lGovernnent the President says shout
be used for the instruction of youth il
; The schools, and the farmers shoul
: visit the farms managed by the Ind
ms themselves and give them the ad
vice they need.
We have not space to gives more fu
abstract of the document at this time
{ 1t is plain. straightforward busines;
: like document which will we dout
) not be received f.vorably throughou
the country and commend itself as tn
atterance of President whose highes
aim is to insure peace, prosperity al
happiness in all our borders.