The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-02
THE MESSAGE.
comments of the Now York Times.

Comments of the New York Times.
New YORK. Nov. 30.-The Times says edl-
torially of the Presidents message: The most
important topics treated in the message are
those of finance and civil reform, and on Doth
the remarks of the President are distinguished
by an amount of decision and clearness OF IL
sight which his recent utterances on the same
subject hardly entitled us to expect. Civil
service reform is treated in much more elabo-
rate, though not less satisfactory fashion, than
the finances. The President clearly dscriml-
mates between the propriety of allowing Cabl-
net officers who are closely identified with the
polcy of the Administration to explain and
defend that policy before the people and the
obvious improperly of permitting the holders
of subordinate places, whose functions are III
no wise identified with partisan politics, to
step out of the sphere TO become campaign
orators. Nothing half so forcible and explicit
as the parts OF this message relating to civil
service reform has been penned by Mr.. Hayes
since his letter of acceptance of the Cincinnati
nomination. and all his intermediate trifling
with the subject will be forgiven il his future
policy be guided by the considerations he now
so ably formulates. But that presupposes the
necessity of demanding much more tangible
fruits of the system than hitherto forthcoming.
Let the President give unmstakable proofs of
his own earnestness and singleness of purpose
in carrying out this most vital of reforms and
the support of public opinion, If not the CO.
operation of Congress, which he calls for, Will
not be withheld. The message contains some
general illusions to the imperfect reallzatlohs
in the South of the ideal Of equal rights, put
beyond appealing to the patriotism OF the coun-
try to nut an end to race prescriptions, and TO
Congress to do what it can to remedy any de.
fects in the laws, regulating the exercise OF
suffrage, he has no remedy to propose
Comments of the New York Herald.
The Herald says: The message is plain
and unambitous document, which conveys IN
a clear straightforward manner the views OF
the President or the present state of the
country. 1t has higher merit than force of
diction and intellectual astuteness, the great
merit of study and honest adherence to sound
principles without vacillation OF trimming OF
any of the shiftlessness which bends toa false
expediency.
On civil service reform his position is so OBJ
viously right and wise that he can afford to
disregard the obloquyEof neutrality-suspicious. and
keep alive efforts which, If they do not sue
coed in his time. must ultimately succeed II
we are to save our free institutions. But civil
service can wait while the head of the govern
ment is trying to check the most hagrant
abuses, but our great experiment OF resump-
ton is in peril from gross imperfectlons IN the
laws. The law requiring the continued com
age of base silver dollars must be repealed or
our currency will sink to lower value than 1t
had during the four years which preceded re-
sumption, and the only safe way to deal with
the greenbacks is to redeem and cancel them.
President Hayes has earned new title 10 pup
lie confidence by these unshrlnkng declara-
tons.
~ Comments of the Tribune.
The Tribune says: The message reviews a
great variety of topics affecting the multifarl-
GUS interests of the country with conspicuous
thoroughness, candor and ability. The mes
sage is dignifed in tone and entirely free from
partsanship, but its recital OF facts and Its rec
concentrations cannot fail to strengthen the
public confidence in the party by which the
President was chosen. The comments and
recommendations of the message VIII IN t1e
main be approved by the country as emlnently
judicious and patriotic.
Comments of the London Times
LONDON, Dec. L. The Times discussing
the message of President Hayes says that II the
legal tender notes in circulation be called in
and cancelled, silver dollars must take their
place and the existing plethora be relieved A
demand for European goods will follow and
the current of money from the East to the
West shores of tie Atlantic be arrested If not
reversed.