Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-01

under which they were issued. They
anticipated the redemption and with
drawal of these notes at the earliest
practical period consistent with the
attainment OF the object for which they
were provided.
The policy of the United States,
adhered To from the adoption OF the
Constitution, has been to avoid the
creation of National debt, and when,
from necessity in time of war, debts
have been created, they have been paid
of on the return of peace as lidly as
possible. With this view, and for this
purpose, il is recommended that the eX'
isting laws ior the accumulation OF q
sinking fund sufficient to extinguish the
public debt within limited period be
maintained. II any change of the ob.
iects or rates OF taxation is deemed
necessary by Congress, it is sugg ested
that experience has shown that q duty
can be placed on tea and coffee, which
will not enhance the price OF those
articles 10 the consumer, and which
will add several millions OF dollars
annually 10 the Treasury.
Polygamy.
The continued deliberate violation by
a large number of the prominent and
influential citizens of the Territory OF
Utah of the laws of the United States for
the prosecution and punishment of pol
ygamy demands the attention of every
department Of the Government. This
Territory has population sufficient to
entitle It 10 admission as 4 State, and the
general interests of the Nation, as well
as the welfare of the citizens of the Ter
ritory, require its advance from the ter
ritOrial fOrm OF government to the re-
sponsibilities and privileges OF State.
This important change will not, hOwey-
er. be approved by the country while
the citizens of Utan in very cOnsidera-
bic number uphold practice which is
condemned as a crime by the laws OF all
civilized communities throughout the
world.
The law for the suppression Of this
offence was enacted with great unani-
nifty by Congress more than seventeen
years ago, but has remained until re
Gently dead letter in the territory of
Utah, because of the peculiar difficulties
attending its eniOrceUent. The opin-
ion widely prevailed among the citizens
of Utah that the law was IN cOntraven-
ton of the Constitutional guarantee OF
religious freedom. This objection l.
now removed. The Supreme Court OF
the United States has decided
the law 10 be within the leglsIa-
tive power OF Congress, and binding rs
a rule Of action for all who reside with
i'm the Territories. There is no longer
any reason for delay or hesitation IN It's
enforcement. Il should be firmly and
effectively executed. Ii not sufficiently
stringent i'm It's provisions it should be
amended, and, in aid of the proposed
view, | recommend that more cOmpre-
hensiye and more searching methods
for preventing rs well as Furnishing this
crime be provided. Ii necessary To Sc
cure obedience 10 the law, the enjoy
ment and exercise Of the rights and
privileges Of citizenship in the Terrific
ries OF the United States may be with
heldsOr withdrawn from those who vio-
late or oppose the enforcement OF the
Law on this subject.
The El0ctlVe ErhuCnlS6.
The elections OF the past year, though
occupied only with state offices, have
not failed TO elicit in the political dis
cussious which attended them all over
the country, new and decisive evidence
of the deep interest which the great
body OF citizens take in the progress Of
the country towards a more general and
...-...1,k.. oafal, ,I,sb,,.pt or M hotnyar
cost, of universal security and freedom
in the exercise of the elective franchise.
While many topics of political concern
demand great attention from our peo-
pie, both i'm the sphere of National and
State authority, | find no reason to
qualify the opinion | expressed In my
last annual message, that no temporary
or administrative interests OF gov
ernment. however urgent or
weighty, will ever dIsplace the zeal
of our people in defiance Of the primary
rights Of citizenship, and that the power
Of public opinion will override all po-
Iitical prejudiccs, and all sectional and
State attachments, in demanding that
all over our wide territory the name and
character of the citizen of the United
States shall mean one and the same
thing, and carry with them unchallenged
security and respect. | earnestly ap-
peal 10 the intelligence and patriotism of
an cool citizens Of every part of the
country, however much they may be Ill
yided in opinions on otherpOiltlcal sub
jects. 10 unite in compelling obedience
10 existing laws aimed at the protection
Of the right of suffrage. | respectfully
urgc upon Congress To supply any de-
iects in these laws which experience has
shown, and which it is within its power
to remedy. | again invoke the cooper
alton of the executive andt legislative
Of the States in this great
purpose. am fully convinced that If
the public mind can he set at rest on
this paramount question of popular
rights. no serious obstacle will thwart or
delay the complete paciticatiOu Of the
country, or retarl the general diffusion
Of Prosperityl
Civil Service Reform.
In former message | invited the at
.entiOn Of Congress Ia the subject OF the
Of the civil service OF the
government, and expressed the lnten-
ton Of transmitting to Congress, as
early rs practicable, a report upon this
subject by the chairman of the Civil
Service Commission.
In view of the facts that, during con-
siderable period, the Government of
Great Britain has been dealing with adj
problems and abuses, in
various particulars analogous TO those
presented in this country, and that in
recent years the measures adopted were
understood to have been effective and in
every respect highly satisfactory, /
thought it desirable 70 have fuller infor-
nation upon the subject, and accord
ngly requested the chairman of the Civil
Service Commission to make thorough
for this purpose. The re-
suit has been an elaborate and compre-
hensive report.
The report sets forth the history OF
the partisan spoils system in Great
Britain, and of the rise and fall OF the
patronage, and of official
with the freedom OF eleC-
tons. IL shows that after long trials of
various kinds of examinations, those
which are competitive and open on equal
terms To all, and which are carried on
under the superintendent of single
have, with great advantage,