St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-12-05


600. 900 can be annually saved to the
treasury. To secure this important re-
duction of interest TO be paid by the
United States, further legislation
is required, which, it is hoped, will be
provided by Congress during its pres
ent session. "
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
polygamy demands the attention of
every department of the government.
This territory has population sufficient
to entitle it to admission as a state, and
the general interests of the nation, as
well us the welfare of the citizens of the
territory, require its advance from the
territorial form of government to tue
responsibilities and privilege of state.
This important change will not, how
ever, be approved by the country while
the citizens of Utah in very considerable
number uphold a practice which is con-
demned as a crime by the laws of all
civilized communities throughout the
world. The law for the suppression of
this Offense was enacted with great
unanimity by Congress more than II
years ago, but has remained until re-
Gently dead letter in the territory of
Utah, because of the peculiar difficulties
attending its enforcement. The opinion
widely prevailed among the citizens of
Utah that the law was in cOntravention
of the constitutional guarantee of reli-
gious freedom. The supreme court of
the United States has decided the law
to be within the legislative power of
Congress, and binding as rule of ac-
ton for all who reside within the terri
tories. There is no longer any reason
for delay or hesitation in its enforce
ment. 1t should be firmly and effect
lively executed. If not sufficiently strin-
gent in its provisions, it should be
amended, and in aid of the purpose in
view, recommend that more compre-
hensive and more searching methods
for preventing as well rs furnishing this
crime be provided. If necessary to Sc
cure obedience to the law, the enjoy
ment and exercise of the rights of citi-
zenship in the territories of the United
States may be withheld or withdrawn
from those who violate or oppose the
enforcement of the law on this subject
PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
The elections of the past year, though
occupied only with state offices have
not failed to elicit in the political dis
cussiOns 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 toward more general and
complete establishment. at whatever
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 in 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 govern
ment, however urgent or weighty, will
ever displace the zeal of our people in
defense of the primary rights of citizen
ship, and that the power of public
opinion will override all political preju-
dices and all sectional and state attach
ments, in demanding that all over our
wide territory the name and character
of citizen of the United States shall
mean one and the same thing, and car
ry with them unchallanged security and
respect. | earnestly appeal to the in
telligence and patriotism of all good
citizens of every part of the country,
however much they may be divided in
opinions on other political subjects, to
unite in compelling obedience to exist
ing laws aimed at the protection of the
nf Snt frar / ftrll
upon Congress to supply any defects in
these laws which experience has shown
and which it is within its power to
remedy. l again invoke the co6pera-
ton of the executive and 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 pacitication of
the country or retard the general diffu-
sion of prosperity.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The President devotes large space
in his message to the civil service. He
makes the occasion of presenting the
report of the Civil Service Commission
the occasion fol- full discussion of the
subject. The President divides the
public service into two branches. One
branch consists of those officers elected
by people to carry out given policy
and their advisers. These should be
expected to be in harmony with the
party electing them, aud will be ex-
pected to retire at the expiration of
their terms of office. The others, en-
bracing all officers who fill subordinate
places, should be permitted to hold
their positions and discharge their du-
ties irrespective of partisan politics.
The President devotes considerable
space to the history of competitive ex-
since 1853, and calls atten-
ton to the good results which have at
tended the recent experiments in sever
al branches of public service. The
president denouuces political assess
ments as wrong, and, while not defn-
ing the extent to which Federal officers
may engage i'll political action, says
that it should not be permitted to an
extent that will interfere with the
proper discharge of official duties, and
should never be used as means to
enforce opinions or cOerce the political
actions of others.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with foreign nations
are all peaceful if not satisfactory in
every respect. The fishery questions
are under process of adjustment. Pro-
gress has been made during the year in
perfecting consular relations and max
ing treaties designed to put us upon
more neighborly relations with other
II
gratifying increase of trade with near
lV all American and Europaonr oonn