Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-15


gave prominent place to the subject of the
reform of our civil service, recognizing and
strongly urging its necessity in terms al.
most identical in their specific import with
those | have here employed, must be &C.
cepted as conclusive argument In behalf
of these measures 1t mus be regarde as
the expression of the united voice and win
of the whole country upon this subject and
both political parties are virtually pledged
to give II their unreserved support.
The President of the United ates, of ne
cessity, owes his election to office to the suf-
frage and Jealous labors of political party,
the members of which cherish with ardor,
and regard as Of essential impor ance the
principles OF their party organization. But
he should strive to be always mindful of the
fact that he serves his party best who serves
the country best.
THE PRESIDENTIAL TERM
In furtherance of the reform we seek, and,
as in other Important respects a change of
great Importance, | recommend an amend
ment to the Constitution prescribing term
OF six years for the Presidential office, and
forbidding a reelection.
FINANCIAL.
With respect to the financial condition of
the country, shall not attempt an extended
history of the embarrassment and prostra-
ton which we have suffered during the
past three years. The depression in all our
varied commercial and manufacturing in
terests throughout the country, which be-
gan IN September, 1878, still continues. 1t
Is very gratifying, however, to be able to
say that there are indications all around US
of coming change to prosperous times.
THE CURRENCY AND SPECIE PAYMENTS.
Upon the currency question, intimately
connected as it is with this topic, may be
permitted to repeat the statement made in
my letter OF acceptance, that in my judg-
ment the feeling of uncertainty inseparable
from an irredeemable paper currency, with
tic Of l.
est obstacles of return to prosperous times.
The only safe paper currency is the one
which rests upon a coin basis, and is at all
times promptly convertible into coin.
adhere to the views heretofore expressed
by me in favor of Congress ional legislation
in behalf Of an early resumption of specie
payment, and I am satisfied not Only hat
this is wise, but that the interests, as well as
the public sentiment of the country, imper-
atively demand it.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Passing from these remarks upon the con-
dltlon of our own country, to consider our
relations with other lands, we are reminded
by international complications abroad,
threatening he peace OF Europe, that Our
traditional rule of non-interfeTence in af-
fairs of foreign nations has proved of great
value in past times, and ought to be strictly
observed.
ARBITRATION
The policy inaugurated by my honored
predcces sor-Gcn. Grant-of submitting to
arbitration grave questions in dispute be-
tween ourselves and foreign Powers, points
to q new and incompara bly, the best instru-
mentality for the preservation of peace, and
will, as | believe, become a benefcent eX-
ample of the course to be pursued in SINH
lar emergencies by other Nations.
If, unhappilY, questions of difference
should at any time, during the period of my
Administration, arise between the United
States and any foreign Government, it will
certainly be my disposition and my hope to
aid in their settlement in the same peaceful
and honorable way, thus securing to our
country the great blessings of peace and
mutual good offices with all nations of the
world.
THE RECENT POLITICAL CONTEST.
Fellow citizens, we have reached the close
of political contest marked with the eX-
citemenC which usually attends the contests
between great political parties, whose MEM
bers espouse and advocate with earnest faith
their respective creeds. The circumstances
were, perhaps, in no respect extraordinary
save in the closeness and the consequent I'M
certainty of the result.
THE ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL AND THE PREsI-
DENCY.
For the first time in the history of the
country, it has been deemed best, in view of
the peculiar circumstances of the case, that
the objections and questions in dispute with
reference to the counting of the Electoral
q
tribunal appointed for this purpose. That
tribunal, established by law for this sole
purpose, its members, all of them, of long
established reputation for integrity and in
telligence, and, with the exception of those
who are also members of the Supreme Ju-
dietary, chosen equally from both political
parties, its deliberations enlightened ty the
research and the arguments of able counsel,
was entitled to the fullest confidence of the
American people. It's decisions have been
patiently waited for and accepted as legally
conclusive by the general Judgment of the
public. For the present, opinion will widely
vary as to the wisdom of the several conclu-
slons announced by that tribunal. This is to
be anticipated in every instance where
matters of dispute are made the subject of
arbitration under the form of law Human
judgment is never unerring, and is rarely
regarded as otherwise han wrong by the
unsuccessful party in the contest 7, fact
that two great political parties have in this
way settled dispute in regard to which
good men differ as to the law no less than
as to the proper course to be pursued in
solving the question in controversy, is an
occasion for general rejoicing. Upon one
point there is entire unanimity in public
sentiment-that conflicting claims to the
Presidency must be amicably and peaceably
adjusted, and that when SO adjusted the
general acquiescence of the Nation ought
surely to follow.
1t has been reserved for a Government of
the people, where the right of suffrage is
universal, to give to the world the first ex-
ample in history of q great Nation in the
midst of a struggle of opposing parties for
power, hushing its party tumults to yield
the issue of the contest to adjustment ac-
cording to the forms Of law.
CONCLUSION.
Looking for the guidance of that Divine
Hand by which the destinies of Nations and
individuals are shaped, l call upon you,
Senators, Representatives, Judges, fellow
me in an earnest effort to secure to our
country the blessing not only of ma erial
prosperity, but of justice, peace and Union
"a Union depending not upon the con-
straints of force, but upon the loving devo-
ton of free people, and that all things
may be so ordered and set led upon the best
and surest foundation, that peace and
happiness, truth and justice, religion and
piety, may be established among US for all
generations.
VICE-PRESIDENT WIFE ELER'S REMARKS.
The following remarks were made by
Vice President Wheeler before taking the
oath of Office in the Senate Chamber:
SENATORS: Official station ever brings
with it corresponding duty and RESPONSE
b1ity of services. How delicate, and at
times difficult and complex, are the du-
ties which the oath / am about to take will
impose on me. AS President of the Senate,
1t is my sincere purpose to lift myself en-
tirely above the elements of partisanship;
to administer its rules in their true spirit,
with courteous frmness, and by all means
In my power to facilitate and expedite its
deliberations In dOinu tbis cboIl ,,oo5